1449 days ago

Southshore beach takes on orange hue as tiny marine creatures wash ashore

Jake Kenny Reporter from Community News

A Christchurch beach has taken on a striking bright orange tinge after millions of tiny marine creatures washed ashore.

Resident Moreen Sackree was taking a stroll on Southshore beach in South New Brighton about 10am on Tuesday, when she came across what she believed were millions of “little krill or squat lobsters”.

“I came across an orange beach – something I've never seen [before].”

Sackree said many of the marine creatures appeared to be dead and were “quite dense” in some areas.

“I tried to put them back into the water but there was just so many there it didn't seem like it was making a difference, it was definitely a rare sight to see.”

Another beach goer, Eve Driver, said when she came across the swarm about 6pm on Tuesday, none of them were alive and many had been buried under the sand.

“The seagulls were going crazy and there was lots of red bird poo.”

Marine ecologist John Pirker, from the University of Canterbury, said the tiny creatures appeared to be gregarious squat lobster – a small crustacean that feeds on the ocean floor.

Squat lobsters generally move in large swarms along the eastern coast of the South Island.

They swam inshore to breed after completing their “larval cycle”, and settled in shallow waters – usually between October and May each year.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 84.5% Yes
    84.5% Complete
  • 14.3% No
    14.3% Complete
  • 1.3% Other - I'll share below
    1.3% Complete
1036 votes
18 hours ago

Got a Minute? Prove You’re the Smartest Neighbour!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What is it that when given one, you’ll have either two or none?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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10 hours ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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