Pigeon Bay, was long valued by Ngāi Tūāhuriri for its safe anchorage, rich forest and abundant kererū (wood pigeons), which led early whalers in the 1830s to name it Pigeon Bay after those birds.

It became one of the earliest European‑settled bays on Banks Peninsula when Scottish families such as the Hays and Sinclairs arrived in the early 1840s, years before Christchurch was even founded. The Hay family established farms that have been worked by descendants for nearly two centuries, clearing forest for pasture while leaving pockets of bush that are now protected reserves.

In the early 1900s the bay supported a small village with homes, a school, and community facilities. Among them, the historical Pigeon Bay Hall, famous for its spring-loaded dance floor, became a social hub for dances, meetings, and celebrations. Nearby, the Knox Church, built by early settlers, has long served the spiritual needs of the community. 

Over time the forest was largely cleared, though conservation efforts like the Hay Scenic Reserve now protect rare remnants of lowland podocarp forest, including ancient tōtara and kahikatea.

Today Pigeon Bay combines rural farming, recreation and community life. It’s a peaceful bayside settlement with a campground, yacht club and boat sheds, popular for boating, kayaking and fishing.  Both the hall and church are increasingly being utilised for small weddings and private events, preserving their heritage while giving them a new lease of life.