The smell of sizzling sausages wafted from a protest cook-in at Pilot Bay to highlight "ridiculous" concerns about the placement of a public barbecue in the area.
About 25 people turned out for the Saturday fry-up.
The group was formed by Tauranga historian and cultural adviser Buddy Mikaere, who used Facebook to spark debate about beach residents hampering the possible instalment of a public barbecue.
The Bay of Plenty Times revealed last week some Pilot Bay residents living opposite the beach complained to Tauranga City Council about the potential placement of a new public barbecue because they did not want cooking smells wafting across the road.
"It's ridiculous because barbies, beaches, kids doing stuff - it all goes together," Mr Mikaere said.