The University of Canterbury’s student bar The Foundry has implemented a new ticketing system for its Thursday night DJ gigs after a “chaotic” crushing incident last year.

It announced the night’s return on its Instagram page.

“Grassroots is back for 2026 – this year we’re changing things up a bit … 300 free tickets will be available each week … Only ticket holders will be able to come to Grassroots!”

The event last month marked the first one back at The Foundry since the crushing incident at the ‘Tea Party Pre-Party’, hosted by the bar last October.

Lincoln University student Georgia Doughty was pushed over and crushed while waiting to get into the full bar that night.

She said it felt like she was queuing with hundreds of people to be let in, but it quickly turned “chaotic”.

Emergency services were called to The Foundry student bar in Christchurch after reports people were injured when the bar became overcrowded. Photo / George Heard

Security instructed the large crowd that had spread out into the road to get onto the footpath. The subsequent pushing and squeezing left Doughty separated from her friends, with no way out in sight.

“Because of the chaotic crowd and excessive pushing, I got knocked to the ground when people started falling backwards. Once I was on the ground, several people were on top of me. I was trapped underneath them and I couldn’t breathe.”

While trapped, someone stood on Doughty’s head, leaving her with a concussion.

The rest of the night was “pretty blurry” for Doughty. She recalls a man pulling her up off the ground, and soon afterwards, an ambulance was called.

Emergency services at The Foundry last October. Photo / George Heard

The third-year student now tries to avoid mosh pits and large crowds as much as possible.

The popular Thursday night gig run in partnership with the university’s DJ society has been a central part of student party life in Christchurch, running most weeks during semesters.

UC student Bo Alpe recalls many memorable nights last year.

“Every time we would go to The Foundry there was always a great atmosphere, the place would be full, and the music was always good.”

Doughty is not surprised The Foundry has brought it back.

“I understand it’s a massive part of student life.”

And she is pleased to hear the student bar is introducing a ticketing system.

“What happened at The Foundry should have absolutely not happened and it was very easily avoidable … The main issue with what happened is that they had absolutely no idea how many students would show up.”

After correspondence between The Foundry and Doughty’s parents, they were shocked to hear that the bar didn’t already have a ticketing system.

“It’s good to see they are trying to improve safety and are learning from what happened,” said Doughty.

The Foundry and the UCSA have been approached for comment.