The polls are closed, votes counted and Massey University's student president for 2013 has been announced, leaving a disenfranchised dinosaur trailing in his wake.

Politics student and current executive member Steve Christodolou, organiser of Palmerston North's annual Student Day at the Races, scraped into winning place.

He took 77 of 156 votes, with runner-up Remy Waldteufel just five votes behind.

Radio Control mascot Gordon the Dinosaur also made an ill-fated bid for the presidency. But the dinosaur was forced to step aside from the race at the 11th hour. The absence of a valid student identification number destroyed the papier mache presidential pretender's shot at the big time.

Mr Christodolou, 21, who divides his time between his arts degree, events management, campaigning and pulling pints at watering hole the Empty Vessel, said he was "ecstatic" at the result. He will take up the job at Massey University Students Association (Musa) next year.

Mr Christodolou has visions of improving connectivity between students and the executive, accommodation affordability and making university a safe but enjoyable experience.

Social events would be Mr Christodolou's forte as president, he said. "Clubs and societies are the grassroots of university life. I want to build alumni connections and bring people back to the university."

He was aware of a student image problem - with binge drinking and vandalism.

"The image I want for students is not ‘don't drink' . . . it's that we are here to make what we want of it and if that is drink, we want them to do it safely and responsibly."

- © Fairfax NZ News