A monster from the deep has shocked beach-goers after it washed up at Muriwai Beach.
Melissa Doubleday posted a photo of the mysterious object to the Muriwai and Waimauku Area Community Group Facebook page, asking "if anyone knows what this is??!".
![The barnacle covered object washed up on Muriwai beach. Photo / Facebook](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/RYGPCODZTL2SL4HJMYKYVIAKPY.jpg?auth=fc2dcc433202682e74a41152504ecb98d14d3a1950425d883e9780982f7712b1&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
Facebook commenters then dug deep into their collective knowledge to speculate on what the object could be, with suggestions including a shipwreck, a piece of art, a Carribean walrus and a Rastafarian whale.
The object is actually a huge bit of driftwood, and is covered in what appear to be gooseneck barnacles.