About
The Pier Lodge

A Rich History……

The now Pier Lodge was originally commissioned by Dr Stevens who came to the district in 1911.
Keeping with the medical theme, the Lodge was then occupied by Dr Joyce Lester.
Mrs Lester then Sold the property to the Roman Catholic Church, who converted it into a convent for nuns from the order of Our Lady of the Missions.

The Convent was later purchased by Mr Rob Middleton and transformed into a delightful accommodation called the convent lodge, the only medium format accommodation in New Brighton.

The chapel was maintained and weddings and events were held there from 1996 until Rob changed the name to The Pier Lodge as it known today.

Since 1999 to today, the pier Lodge has been in the Everett family.
Initially operated as accommodation with a fully functioning museum it is now presented to you as a bespoke beach side oasis..

Tell me about New Brighton…

The first settlers arrived in New Brighton by boat up the Avon River, landing where the Bower Bridge now stands. The area was just one huge expanse of sand-hills, but these brave men could see the potential of a possible new settlement. This was 1860, and soon more people settled by the beach. There was even a camp set up after the Boer War to treat people coming home with the plague and TB.
It was thought the fresh air and sea breezes would cure all, and the hardy souls braved it out, kill or cure.

Gradually more batches were built and a community became established, with no roads or bridges to the area, the river was the main transport. The mail would come by boat and be dropped off at Amelia Roger’s house right on the river bank, where she would distribute the mail along with fresh veges from her garden.

Bridges and roads were built and the tram line was established. Sections in the area were fairly cheap, and a lot of building schemes after the war soon saw a thriving community, with schools and shops. Picnics at New Brighton became the big treat and soon the first pier was built in 1894.  This pier rotted and was demolished in 1965, and then after a huge community fund-raising effort, the new pier was opened in 1997.

Galas were frequently held on the beach, and New Brighton was the place to be. New Brighton had a very strong community with a record number of clubs and four surf clubs,  all established early in the 1900s. Two picture theatres  were always sold out, and local dances were well attended. 
The shops gradually closed and with the 2011 earthquakes, a lot of buildings were destroyed.

Today  New Brighton is a hidden gem, on the precipice of becoming the lively beach side ward it was meant to be.
Attractions in New Brighton now, include the Hot water pools, wonderful play grounds on the beach  and in Rawhiti Domain, if you like  cycling you can bike all the way down the beach track to Spencer Park. There are a lot of out door activities to attract people.