DSC_7819 Morning star shell (Tawera spissa) empty beach drift shells drilled through by the predatory necklace snail (Tanea zelandica). The live animal lives shallowly buried in fine to coarse sand, on open beaches and along tidal channels. Pakiri Beach, Northland
DSC_7652 Basket shell (Corbula zealanica) a tiny species distinguished by the left valve being slightly smaller, and 'nestled' within the margins of the right valve. Often abundant, particularly in the north. Shallowly buried in sandy mud or silty sand, in sheltered waters. Goat Island Marine Reserve, Leigh
DSC_0781 Wrinkled rock borer (Hiatella sp.) showing orange siphons and deformed shell. Found in the abandoned burrows of piddocks in mudstone and sandstone reefs. As it doesn't construct these burrows itself the valves may become distorted as the animal grows within an imperfectly confined space. Moeraki
