New Brighton has seen two piers in its time. The original one was of wooden construction, opened on 18 January 1894 and was pulled down October 1965. This pier was 700 feet (210 m) long. At one stage the pier had a “penny arcade” full of games and amusements along the traditional British style of pier. Also a popular nightclub called the Shoreline was situated at the shore end of the pier where the library now sits.

In the early days the Pier and Foreshore Society tried to save the original pier from being demolished and this group continued on to lobbying for a new pier to be built.
When $2 million was raised, Christchurch City Council matched the amount and a new pier was designed using concrete.
Built in the same location as the old one, it was opened in November 1997; it is 300m (980 ft.) long and makes it the longest pier in the Australasia.
It was damaged in the February 2011 earthquake repairs to the pier were completed in 2018, costing around $9 million.

A modern Library with excellent facilities sits at the start of the pier, with seating placed along large windows looking out to the sea. This is a great place to sit and relax whilst you enjoy a good read. In the same building there is also a bar and restaurant called the Salt on the Pier.

Out in front of the Library “New Brighton Mall Side” there is a Commemorative plaque with a large mounted surf board dedicated to "The spirit of surfing" Duke Paoa Kahanamoku.
On the 24th February 1915 the world-renowned Hawaiian surf board rider and Olympic Gold Medal swimmer, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku gave his first New Zealand demonstration of surf riding. Quite an honour for the seaside suburb in the day as the Duke was very highly regarded.

The pier is one of the many Christchurch tourist attractions and sees plenty of visitors especially in good weather.
Along with the Pier there is plenty on offer. The beach has a Surf Life Saving Club operating swim patrols over the summer months, a Seaside Shopping Mall with a large Supermarket, the famous New Brighton Whale Pool and Playground and a Saturday Market.
It also has a selection of Bars, Cafes and Accommodation on offer.

All this combined together makes New Brighton a great place to visit and chill out in Christchurch.

New Brighton Pier is also the venue for the annual Guy Fawkes fireworks display held on the 5th November every year, Thousands of people gather on the beach to watch.

Fishing is very popular on the pier. However please keep in mind there are some restrictions to where you can fish or when as the number of people fishing were disrupting the pier for other visitors.