Children on a treasure hunt at Karaka Bay in east Auckland have dug up what may be the remains of an old boat that became a local controversy nearly a century ago.
"They have spent the day with a metal detector and shovels and are salvaging large pieces from the boat," said Catherine Patrick.
The metal detector was a Christmas present designed to encourage outdoor play. "We didn't think they would find anything."
The sandy beach yielded up what appeared to be pieces from a boat's hull and a rusty section of anchor chain.
![A family lived for some years in a boat that was pulled onto the beach at Karaka Bay in East Auckland. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/JDFHS4MPJPIQ652HPR45D7EYUM.jpg?auth=0b15595f17bdf29101b0523a7f5448acbe251cbb84b33796537d9bc4a6a50d68&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)