Save Governors Bay jetty

The jetty lies in shallow waters connecting the bay with a dramatic hillside, dotted with rocky outcrops and native bush. It’s an enchanting landscape that draws people from all walks of life.

The jetty is a remarkable 300 metres long, a similar length to New Brighton pier, but much closer to the water.

In the 1870s, it was used to moor steam boats. As the bay became silted, the jetty was extended. Eventually the steam boats stopped coming and it became a place for recreation - for walking, fishing, jetty jumping, weddings, playing, enjoying the breathtaking scenery.

Buses of schoolchildren from Christchurch came to explore the seascape. Some of the children had never been to the seaside before.

The jetty was immortalised by Margaret Mahy in her popular children's book, a Summery Saturday Morning and graced the silver screen in the adaptation of Margaret's eco-thriller, Kaitangata Twitch.

After the February 2011 earthquake, the jetty was shut to the public. In February 2015, Christchurch City Council announced that repairing the jetty was not on its plan.

The community rallied to save the jetty, no matter what. The Council agreed to provide at least $500,000 towards the anticipated $3 million cost, with the Governors Bay Jetty Restoration Trust managing the project on behalf of the community and raising the rest of the money.

The plan is for a full restoration (rather than a piecemeal repair) of the jetty, like-for-like, to a standard that will allow for climate change.

If we restore the jetty to the planned standard, it will outlast every person alive on this earth today.

This is history in the making. We hope you will help us.