One of the world's most poisonous snakes has caused a stir in New Zealand, making its way to the snake-free country.

When the 90-centimetre yellow-bellied sea snake washed up at Dargaville, north of Auckland, locals rushed to the beach.

Police had to cordon off the area and stand guard. Experts believe the snake caught a ride in currents, possibly from Tonga.

It is now recovering at an Auckland marine centre where Andrew Christie is the curator. "We get three or four sightings a year, but usually when they come to shore they are dead or at death's door," he said.

Few sea snakes survive in New Zealand's cold waters. The yellow-bellied sea snake is part of the cobra family
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Here in NZ it is well known that we have sea snakes, especially the yellow bellies. I've seen two up north, near Auckland.

We probably have a small population of imigrant land snakes too, if eyewitness reports are to be believed.

you mean there's no snakes in your country ?

I thought the same, I'm really surprised to hear that.

It's a misconception, but I always kind of assumed that New Zealand is like Australia - I know that's an ignorant statement and I'm kind of learning how different they are.

NZ has a very birdy ecology, they only have 1 native mammal (not counting cetaceans) which is a fruit bat.

Beautiful NZ isn't totally snake-free. Undead Skeptic lives there.............