Moeraki Boulders at sunset, South Island, New Zealand
© Douglas Pearson/eStock Photo
Rocks and rollers
One of the world's most curious rock displays can be found on Koekohe Beach in New Zealand. The Moeraki Boulders, some of which are over two metres in diameter, have been shaped by nature over millions of years. Each boulder started as a pebble on the seabed around 65 million years ago. Over time, layers of mud and silt built up around them, cemented together by calcite. Thanks to erosion and the movement of the sea, the boulders eventually emerged. According to local Māori legends, the Moeraki Boulders are remnants of eel baskets, calabashes and kūmara that washed ashore from the wreck of Āraiteuru, a great sailing canoe.
The legend also connects the rocky shoals extending from Shag Point to the petrified hull of the canoe, while a nearby rocky promontory is said to represent the body of its captain. The intricate patterns on the boulders are believed to be the preserved traces of the canoe's fishing nets, further weaving the story of the vessel into the landscape. Today, new boulders are still appearing, while the elements are slowly breaking down existing ones.