Cheesy lump baffles Wellington

A mystery object believed to be a giant chunk of cheese has washed up on Wellington's south coast.

Since Saturday, curious dogs at Breaker Bay have barked, circled and tasted the object, which is the size of a wheelie bin and resembles brie. It has also come under constant attack from seagulls.

Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean said the council had received "quite a few" calls about the object. On Saturday, someone called because their dog began foaming at the mouth and vomiting after licking it.

"One of the reasons the council wants to get rid of it is because no one knows what it is yet."

He said a park ranger would have to cut it into pieces because it might weigh up to 500 kilograms. The council might keep a piece to help establish what it was.

"The most extraordinary thing is that if it is cheese, why would someone be throwing something so expensive away?"

He said the object "definitely looked like it has come from a ship".

Wellington harbourmaster Mike Pryce said there were no "cheese boats" in the area and no ships had sunk recently.

"I'm intrigued. I have no idea where it could have come from."