Society's History

Friends formed in 1973 as a result of public concern over plans for extensive reclamation of Nelson Haven tidal flats.

Since then the Society has continued to take action to protect our increasingly threatened estuaries, shores and coastal waters. The work has extended to include the coastal environment of Nelson Province and Marlborough.

Michael North wrote a booklet (42 pages) covering the history of our Friends of the Nelson Haven documenting the important work to protect our beautiful coastline. The booklet is available for $15 and  includes a 1 year membership. Please email us  or send a note to P.O. Box 365,  Nelson with your address details and include  a cheque to order. View booklet as PDF » (700kB)

Oil & Gas Ecological Assessment for Tasman Bay, Golden Bay and the Marlborough Sounds During negotiations prior to AWE drilling an exploratory well in Tasman Bay in 2010, it was clear that there were gaps in the data available for a full Assessment of Environmental Effects, as required by the RMA. Friends and AWE then commissioned ecological consultant Simon Mustoe to develop a standard for any future assessments for oil and gas exploration applications. The Standard describes a process and examples for gap identification, and how full assessments might be made. Friends is not supportive of future exploration in the Top of the South Island.

Beautiful scenery and an equable climate makes the area popular for recreation and tourism. There are large commercial fin fish and shell fish operations along the coast.

The population in Tasman Bay and Golden Bay is expanding rapidly. This northern coast has several large estuarine areas each equal in environmental productivity to a tropical rain forest.

Over 30 species of local and migratory birds are known to use the estuaries which are of national and international importance to some wader species. Such an abundance of birdlife indicates a rich benthic community of invertebrate and plant life which supports not only thousands of birds but also commercial and recreational fish. These estuaries are used by the fish for feeding, breeding nurseries, passage to fresh water and as hospital blocks and are essential to the productivity and fishing of Top of the South coastal waters. At least 25 species of commercial and recreational fish use the Nelson and Marlborough estuaries for feeding, breeding, nurseries, passage to fresh water and as hospital blocks. These estuaries are essential to coastal productivity.

News & AGM

[06 May 08] :: FAIRWAY BEACON - WAVE AND CURRENT MONITORING STATIONS

A recent meeting of the [...continue]