The Canterbury Socialist Society is a voluntary organisation that first began in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2017. On September 12th 2018, after a year of consistent work and development, we were officially founded with an active constitution and membership structure. Our purpose is to promote the engagement, discussion, and popularisation of socialist ideas, politics, and principles.

By socialism, we mean, in the broadest sense, the political goal of bringing the working class to power at all levels of society in order to establish a system where production is organised according to need, rather than the accumulation of private wealth. To this end, we host seminars, lectures, workshops, film screenings, and social events that are open to the public.

Participation in our events is not based on specific adherence to a set of politics, but having a genuine interest in the topics we host. The society hosts monthly educational events open to all ages at Space Academy, and convenes on the third Thursday of every month for social drinks at Pomeroy’s Pub.

“Our immediate aim should be chiefly educational… with a view to dealing with the crisis if it should come in our day, or of handing on the tradition of our hope to others if we should die before it comes.”

William Morris, 1884.