New Brighton Village Green the next chapter of Christchurch East’s quake revitalisation

Sunday, 21 December 2025

Hundreds of people have gathered in New Brighton’s Village Green to celebrate its arrival and the closing of a chapter for Christchurch’s earthquake recovery.

Te Hiato Kuaka New Brighton Village Green, just off Marine Pde near the New Brighton Pier, was officially opened with the cut of a ribbon by Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger on Sunday.

More than 200 people and at least 30 dogs congregated on the astroturf to witness the end of an era for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust’s community funding, and the next steps of Christchurch East’s revitalisation.

The green has been a labour of love for Greater New Brighton Charitable Trust, a group of volunteers, and construction company Constructa over the past six years, especially in the past four months as the space went from a pile of rubble to a community hub.

The trust injected $2.5 million of funding from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust into the community project to help revitalise New Brighton Mall.

Clare Wright and Roy Hubbard watched on as Hubbard’s daughter, Mahli Hubbard, 5, did cartwheels on the green.

Wright, from Sumner, said it was a shame New Brighton had not received the same love after the earthquake, but was heartened to see the investment in its revitalisation.

“It’s good to see something else come forward, it’s exciting, especially for a seaside town.“

Hubbard was impressed with the green’s colourful, beachy feel.

“It could be such a hub, so much potential.“

During the speeches, Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust trustee Dr Roderick Carr said while the day marked a closing of the trust’s $17.5m pledge to connect the city to the east, it was not the end of the work to bring New Brighton back to is former glory.

Most of the money was spent on the bridges over the Ōtākaro Avon River, but to see the completion of a space by the community for the community was special, Carr said.

“It is not the end, but the start of building back better, not just the physical infrastructure, but places for people,” he said.

The green features a row of 14 colourful striped huts available for rent along a boardwalk, with a stage and large turf lawn. Its facilities are open to the public. Local community radio station Seaside Sounds is poised to be one of the tenants.

Duke Festival, a surfing and skateboarding festival held in the seaside suburb annually, was already booked in for March, while New Brighton Catholic School teacher Angela Hamilton was eyeing up the stage for her school’s performances.

“It’s such a nice place. It’s only going to help [the revitalisation].”