History

Duke Festival of Surfing: Aloha & Aroha

https://youtu.be/sgFFJTMmc_g Every year, New Brighton Beach in Christchurch, comes alive with the vibrant energy of one of the largest surfing competitions in Aotearoa – the Duke Festival of Surfing. This unique festival, which draws in over 200 entries across 14 age group divisions, is not just about showcasing surfing prowess; it’s...

The New Brighton Pier: A Tale of Two Piers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6ypYwa7omE As Christchurch's most recognisable landmark, chances are you've seen our iconic Pier, whether in person, photos, or city advertising. But did you know this is New Brighton's second Pier, and we went thirty years without one? Let's go back to the late 19th century when New Brighton was the go-to destination...

Christchurch’s Street Art Hot Spot

https://youtu.be/aU2B1UPy6HY Ample empty, broken buildings gave Christchurch City the opportunity to burst on to the street art scene after the 2011 earthquakes, and the city has continued to foster that identity well into its rebuild. Ample empty, broken buildings gave Christchurch City the opportunity to burst on to the street art scene...

Poetry with The Sand Man – Peter Donnelly

https://youtu.be/GMuRtdR6KjM Peter Donnelly is a well-known local artist. Having used the beach as his canvas for almost two decades, he now keeps a slower pace of life with poetry and photography as his medium. Up until a few years ago it was common place to see Peter creating art on the...

Charlie the crocodile at The North Beach Mini Zoo

North New Brighton Zoo: Crocodiles in Brighton?

A Christchurch institution, the mini zoo was was both a source of fascination and controversy. Established in the late 1950s by Bill Grey, the small zoo allowed residents and tourists to encounter animals up close, from lions and tigers to the famously intimidating crocodile kept in a glass enclosure near...