We asked people around the country to send us stories in their own words about what they have discovered along the coastline. Here is a selection in which beachcombers have found fascinating examples of sea life.
What's your story?
Moa bones
Northlander Neva McKenna and her husband often combed the shoreline at Coopers Beach, finding all sorts of treasures. Her biggest find came in 1976, at Henderson Bay.
A rare specimen
Zoologist Bob Pilgrim found this strange creature (Pelagohydra mirabilis) on Sumner beach near Christchurch in 1966. It was only the third known example of this organism to be found.
Whales and dolphins
Southlander Lloyd Esler lives just a few minutes’ drive from Oreti Beach near Invercargill. He regularly walks along the shore looking for the remains of whales, dolphins and other cetaceans.
Sea snake
Around six yellow-bellied sea snakes are found washed up on New Zealand beaches each year, when they stray from warmer waters to the north. This one was alive when found. It is best not to pick them up, as their bite can be fatal. Jean Porter vividly recalls her find, over 60 years ago.