New Brighton Pier

Stretching out into the Pegasus Bay, the New Brighton Pier is Christchurch’s most iconic seaside landmark.

The story of a pier at New Brighton began in 1894, when the original wooden structure was opened to the public. It quickly became a favourite destination. People came to fish, to promenade in their finest clothes, be entertained at the penny arcade and nightclub or just to breathe in the salty air while gazing out over the ocean.

But the ocean is both beautiful and unforgiving. Built of timber and exposed to harsh coastal conditions, the original pier required constant repairs. Decades of wind, waves, and weather slowly took their toll and by 1965 the difficult decision  was made to order its demolition. For the next 30 years, Christchurch was left without a pier, a noticeable absence along the city’s eastern edge.

However, a dedicated group of New Brighton residents refused to let the idea of a pier disappear. Year after year, they fundraised, advocated, and lobbied. Their persistence paid off and approval was finally granted for a new pier. This time it would be built from concrete, strong enough to withstand the coastal environment. The design also incorporated community spaces, including a library, café, and restaurant. Completed in 1999, the new New Brighton Pier quickly reclaimed its iconic station.

Today, the pier stretches approximately 300 metres out over the ocean, offering sweeping views up and down the coast. By day, it’s a place for walking, fishing, watching surfers and by night, it becomes something quietly magical, illuminated in shifting red, green, and blue lights that reflect off the water below.

The pier did not escape the impacts of the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, suffering some damage during those events. Once again, restoration work followed, and by 2018 the pier was fully repaired and reopened.

Photograph:  Nick Pearson Photography or Facebook:Nick Pearson