Report toxic weed

Wellington: Beachgoers are being urged to report any sighting of a toxic weed as they soak up the sunshine this summer.

The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) said sea spurge has been sighted more along New Zealand’s coastline. It invades the shore just above the high tide mark, disrupts sand dunes and stops native plants from growing.

The weed was first found in 2012 and seeds are believed to have travelled via ocean currents from Australia.

MPI is urging people to report the weed but not to remove it, because its sap can cause skin irritation or temporary blindness if it gets in the eyes.