Millions of money spiders may have ballooned their way to Hikurangi but don't expect any money bags to be found on the swamp any time soon.
Silk sheets fluttered in the wind yesterday after the initial landing by the arachnids on Wednesday. Heavy rain early yesterday had caused some of the fine white-coloured sheets to disintegrate and experts estimated the rest would be gone over the next few days as the spiders made their new homes in the grass and scrub on the flood banks of Hikurangi Swamp.
The naturally occurring phenomenon and eye-catching sight might be an arachnophobe's worst nightmare but for those specialising in the bugs the latest landing is a delight.
Arachnologist Grace Hall, of Landcare Research in Auckland, said the mass movement of the tiny spiders happened every year in autumn after the spiders hatched.
She said if there were too many spiders in one area they would spin a fine silk balloon and drift on the warm thermals to new surrounds.