After over 20 years of economic decline in New Brighton and many surrounding suburbs the tide has begun to turn. It’s been a slow start but a deliberate one. I’ve worked hard with other community leaders over the last 3 years to lay the foundations for a Rejuvenated New Brighton.
Gone is the perception that New Brighton isn’t safe, and the community is changing the way it sees itself. There is a lot less “Brighton bashing” than there was 3 years ago and a lot more pride and connection.
We have ramped up the Summer Events calendar with new events like the Coast to Coast and Parklands Fun Day.
Personally, I have begun trying to change the way I talk about the area, using ‘Greater Brighton’. instead of ‘The East’ – it just sounds more positive!
The CBD of New Brighton still has a long way to go with a lot of “chicken or the egg” issues to deal with between local government, landowners and businesses but the newly formed Regeneration Christchurch and Development Christchurch organisations recently opening an office in New Brighton is a great sign that things will get better. A new better, different from what was…but better!
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