Learn more about our humble beginnings and mission
Friends of Golden Bay is a community group that fosters sustainability and conservation in Golden Bay, New Zealand. It is an Incorporated Society and a Registered Charity, and run off the support of the community and local iwi. The iwi local to Golden Bay are Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Rārua and Te Ātiawa, and have continued to show their support in Friends of Golden Bay.
Friends of Golden Bay had its first formal meeting in June 1996 at which time it was agreed that it would act as an umbrella group to oppose the opening up of Golden Bay to large-scale aquaculture. These included proposals to erect structures in the mid-tide zone on many beaches and also extensive mussel farming close to shore. This eventually led to a major Environment Court decision which resulted in special aquaculture management areas being designated well off-shore.