UCSA

UCSA, the University of Canterbury Students’ Association, is a student association and event promoter based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Founded in 1894 as the Canterbury College Students’ Association, it adopted its current name in 1949. Its events programme is run by the UCSA Events Team and includes concerts, club events and student activities.

Following the 2011 earthquake, the Ilam Student Union building closed permanently. The Foundry then hosted gigs and functions and served as a campus bar until 2019, when UCSA moved to Haere-roa at 90 Ilam Road. Haere-roa hosted club events and performances in its first months. UCSA also runs MONO, a weekly term-time gig series at Ngaio Marsh Theatre, featuring local and international performers.

Its programme spans larger gigs such as the annual end-of-year Tea Party festival, alongside campus events including barbecues, movie nights and workshops. Artists booked by UCSA include Beccie B, KC Lights, goddard. and Shapeshifter. Christchurch drum-and-bass DJ and MC PONZ has also appeared at a UCSA event.

The association is a registered not-for-profit supporting University of Canterbury students, with an elected Student Executive overseeing its governance. Its commercial activities include operating OnCampus catering and holding half ownership of the University Bookshop. UCSA also publishes CANTA, a student publication that began in 1930 as an alternative to the Canterbury College Review.