I’m finding it very hard to come in from the garden and/or beach at the moment with this gorgeous autumn weather. But here’s a good reason to go back to the beach: the team who are putting together Te Ara: the Encyclopedia of New Zealand (the world’s first national online encyclopedia) are calling for short stories about the bizarre or beautiful things you have found washed up on NZ beaches.

The best of your stories will go into the next ‘theme’ of the online encyclopedia which is ‘Earth, Sea and Sky’. The first theme, ‘New Zealanders’ was launched on 8 February; it was about the people of this country from the first waka to the diverse cultures we find today in Aotearoa. Te Ara will be published progressively in themes over the next seven years.

Jock Phillips, General Editor of Te Ara, says:

New Zealand’s huge coastline acts like a net, with many odd things washing up on our shores from the Tasman Sea and the Pacific or Southern Ocean. We are looking for tales… to add to the flavour and richness in Te Ara about this country’s relationship with the sea.

500 words please, and a picture would be good; 30 April is your deadline. Full details on how to submit your story can be found in the Te Ara News.

And speaking of flotsam and jetsam, Lopdell House Gallery in Titirangi has the most amazing exhibition at the moment by Warwick McLeod (scroll down). He has made not only a full sized whare out of kelp, but also lots of giant hands in various poses. Quite surreal and definitely worth a look if you happen to be passing through gorgeous Titirangi – on your way to Auckland’s west coast beaches to find your flotsam, of course.