Golden Bay Museum is an Incorporated Society and a registered Charity. The governance of which is vested in the Golden Bay Museum Society Incorporated.
Golden Bay Museum’s exhibition building was designed by Wellington architect James Beard, and was officially opened on 15 October 1990. Since then two extensions have been added – Our climate controlled Archive room (2000) named after John Crockford (staunch supporter of the museum), and our Whalery (2018)