Snake washes up on Dargaville beach

The Department of Conservation says it is rare for sea snakes to wash up in our waters.

DOC is dealing with a poisonous yellow bellied sea snake found on Baylys Beach, near Dargaville.

Its discovery prompted local police to cordon off the area.

Although potentially lethal, the snakes are not considered aggressive.

DOC biosecurity manager Joanne Perry says the snake has most likely come to New Zealand with currents from somewhere in the Pacific.

She says it is not a very common occurrence as DOC might only get one or two reports a year.

Ms Perry says few sea snakes survive long in New Zealand's cold waters.

Biosecurity New Zealand says the snake is nothing to be concerned about. Spokeswoman Lesley Patston says the fact the snake got to New Zealand on its own means it is not a biosecurity issue.

-NEWSTALK ZB