A "mystery" marlin that washed ashore at a Napier beach gave some early morning photographers a fright.
The largely intact marlin corpse was first spotted near the Awatoto treatment plant outfall area on Wednesday morning, well away from its usual deep-water habitat.
National Aquarium of New Zealand general manager Rachel Haydon was unable to determine the exact species of the fish based on the photo, but said she was surprised to see the marlin beached.
"There are a number of species known to frequent New Zealand waters seasonally – Swordfish, Striped Marlin, Black Marlin and Blue Marlin," she said.
"It is unusual to see one washed up a beach and we have not heard of any others washing up nearby recently."