A proposal to reinstate the front counter at the New Brighton Police Station and deploy a locally based beat team has been hailed by community leaders and residents as a long-overdue step toward restoring visible, accessible policing in the area.

Under the proposed restructure, the station would be reactivated as a public-facing facility, supported by dedicated officers patrolling the community on foot.

Coastal Ward Councillor Celeste Donovan told chrislynchmedia.com the move would respond directly to years of frustration from residents and businesses.

“The potential reopening of the public-facing counter at the New Brighton Police Station, alongside a locally based beat team, would be a massive win for our Coastal community,” she said.

“After years of frustration from residents and businesses finding the station closed, this move would help restore connection and improve access to local policing. I’ve been consistently advocating for this as local councillor, based on strong and ongoing feedback. We’ve also been advised that police are looking to establish a dedicated retail crime unit, another important step in addressing crime and supporting safety.”

Donovan said the progress showed how local collaboration could lead to real outcomes.

“I raised this directly at a recent police briefing to the Community Board and made it clear that closing the station was not supported by the community and that it needed to remain open.

“The New Brighton Community Safety Partnership, I helped kickstart last year, has created a focused space to raise safety concerns and advocate for local needs. It brings together representatives from the local business association, local police, our MP Reuben Davidson, community leaders, and others.

“Fionna Chapman, a member of the partnership, also wrote to police on our behalf to support the call to reopen the station, knowing that a wider restructure was underway. I’m really pleased to see that advocacy gaining traction.”

She said the restructuring proposal marked a real step forward for safety, visibility, and policing across Christchurch East and the growing coastal area.

Environment Canterbury Regional Councillor and long-time New Brighton resident David East said policing remained a hot topic, particularly in light of proposed rural service reductions and the renewed focus on the eastern suburbs.

“New Brighton has had a roller coaster of service delivery for a number of years. Whilst the station has always been a key part of police service delivery in the city, public access has been varied, from none to limited. Locals needing to report issues or interface with police have had to go to the City or Papanui Police Stations.”

East said the area was undergoing a revival, with residential developments completed or underway, and mall upgrades expected to attract more foot traffic.

“The Hot Pools and the Pier continue to be a major attraction for visits from both tourists and residents from other parts of the city,” he said.

While East said crime in New Brighton was not out of control, he acknowledged it had increased in recent years, with a rise in car thefts, youth issues, nuisance offending, and the occasional serious incident.

“I welcome a proposal to reopen the front desk at New Brighton and an increased police presence whether it be a re-establishment of police on the beat or increased vehicle patrols. It is long overdue. In my opinion, the residents of the area are hugely under served in the provision of policing and access to a front desk at their local station. I am sure they will welcome the proposals whole heartedly.”

Former Community Board Coastal Chair and recently re-elected unopposed, Kim Money, said the news was cause for celebration.

“Reopening the New Brighton Police Station is absolutely fantastic news and will be so welcomed by our community.

“People have been calling for this for years, and it’s great to see it finally happening. A big yes please to a beat team too. Having our wonderful officers with a visible, regular presence on the streets will not only improve safety, but also help build stronger relationships with locals, something that can have such a positive and lasting impact.

“Over the years, I’ve personally gone down to the station multiple times to report something or hand in a found item, only to find the doors closed. I still remember when the station had a friendly face behind the front desk, a lovely lady who was always so helpful. This is a fantastic step forward. Thank you New Zealand Police,” Money said.

Community Board Member and Coastal Ward candidate Jo Zervos said “we, the community, have been advocating for several years for the front desk to be reopened and it’s really good news that it’s now being considered.

“We have had police attend both community board and the New Brighton Safety Partnership meetings to hear our concerns and I am delighted they have listened.

“However it’s not across the line yet, so still a bit to do. The community has missed being able to access help when needed or to be able to pop in to do report a crime, anti social behaviour or even to report or hand in lost and found items.

 

“Being by the beach anything can happen, from bags being stolen, cars broken into or someone going missing. In some instances people are left without the means of communication. We also tend to get a lot of items lost or found in the sand or dunes, so having a place close by to hand them in makes it easier for both the finder and loser. Often it is quicker to pop into the station to get help than to call 105. With our population increasing again and living in an area affected by natural hazards, it would be great to know support is there.

New Zealand Police is expected to release further details on the proposal in the coming weeks.