New Brighton Pier, pier in New Brighton, Christchurch, New Zealand

New Brighton Pier is a solid concrete structure that opened in 1997 and stretches about 300 meters into the sea. Along its length you will find seating areas, a dedicated fishing zone, a restaurant called Salt on the Pier, and a non-fishing section at the end where visitors can photograph or simply enjoy the ocean in peace.

The first pier was built in 1894 from wood and remained popular for over 70 years with a penny arcade and nightclub called the Shoreline. After it was torn down in 1965, the community raised funds for about 30 years before opening this replacement pier in 1997.

The pier hosts regular skate-on-the-pier events and the annual Guy Fawkes fireworks display on 5 November, watched from the deck over the Pacific. Its name comes from New Brighton, the seaside suburb of Christchurch it serves, and locals treat the 300-metre deck as the suburb's symbol.

The pier is reached from Marine Parade in New Brighton; its deck runs 300 metres out over the Pacific, with a fishing area and a non-fishing section at the seaward end. The deck is exposed, so wind and spray are common even on fine days. Repairs after the earthquakes kept it closed until May 2018, so check for any current closures before walking out.

A tsunami detection gauge was installed on the pier in 2021, and one of its sensors was replaced in June 2026. The pier also hosts the annual Guy Fawkes fireworks display on 5 November and regular skate-on-the-pier events.