$4.2m upgrade unveiled for Christchurch’s New Brighton mall
Tuesday, 2 December 2025
The Christchurch City Council has released plans for a multimillion-dollar upgrade to New Brighton mall, proposing new paving, lighting, a central gathering area and a shift to a shared zone as part of its long-awaited revamp.
The $4.2 million project has been discussed for a decade, but momentum has accelerated as the suburb continues its wider regeneration.
Recent developments such as He Puna Taimoana, the City to Sea Pathway, Marine Pde and the New Brighton Beachside Playground have helped lift activity, the council said, while new projects including the Village Green and Pierside developments are under way.
Council planning and delivery transport manager Jacob Bradbury said the redesign reflects strong views in the community about what is needed to draw people in.
He said the aim was to make the mall more welcoming, safer and easier to move through.
“The mall’s main purpose is to act as a gateway between the pier, the beach and local businesses to give people in New Brighton easy access to hospitality, retail and services,” Bradbury said.
“To make it all flow better and be more welcoming, we’re looking at a range of changes and improvements.”
The plans include new paving featuring the mall’s newly gifted name, Te Ara Kuaka – meaning “the pathway of the godwit” - and the creation of a central gathering space beside the Village Green with bespoke seating, planting, irrigation and LED lighting.
Other upgrades being considered include:
New streetlights, feature lighting for the palm trees and central gathering area, free public wifi and security cameras
Improved drainage with greater capacity
Cultural artwork within the gathering area
New rubbish bins, a drinking fountain and updated signage
A designation change from pedestrian mall to shared zone to make access easier for people cycling or skateboarding.
Residents can view the full proposal, ask questions and give feedback through the council’s website, or see the plans in person at a pop-up display inside New Brighton Library.
“We have $4.2m earmarked for this revamp, and we're confident that this spend will go a long way towards lifting the amenity,” Bradbury said.
“There's already so much awesome stuff going on in the Brighton Mall area, and by simply linking it all together in an attractive way, we can really make the most of the regeneration that's already happening.”
The council was working closely with Martini Investments, the Greater New Brighton Charitable Trust and ChristchurchNZ to make sure private and public developments integrate well, he said.
Public consultation runs until February 1. Construction is expected to begin in winter 2026.