All washed up – what’s your beachcombing story?

The team at Te Ara: the Encyclopedia of New Zealand are asking for stories about things people have found washed up on the beaches of New Zealand, to include in the next theme of the online encyclopedia which is entitled ‘Earth, Sea and Sky’.

“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,” said Jock Phillips, General Editor of Te Ara.

“We are looking for tales of those weird and wonderful things that people have found on the beach over the years, to add to the flavour and richness in Te Ara about this country’s relationship with the sea.”

“Stories should be around 500 words, with a picture if possible, and they need to reach us by 30 April 2005.”

“The editorial team will pick the best stories and they will be published on Te Ara when the ‘Earth, Sea and Sky’ theme launches.”

“We received a tremendous response to our request for contributions to the first theme, asking people to tell us the stories of their voyage to New Zealand and we are hoping for similar response this time.”

“Community involvement is one of the great strengths of Te Ara and its continuing development,” said Jock Phillips.

The first theme of Te Ara ‘New Zealanders’ was launched by the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, on 8 February and covers the stories of the people who have made this country their home, from the first canoes from the Pacific to today’s immigrants from around the globe.

Te Ara is the world’s first national online encyclopedia and it will be published progressively in themes over the next seven years.

Full details on how to submit your story can be found in the Te Ara News section at http://www.TeAra.govt.nz.

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