The body of the huge sea monster measured in at seven metres long – with its tentacles more than three times bigger than the average human man.
With giant suckers and a terrifying large beak, the creature looked like something out of a horror movie.
But as marine life enthusiasts moved in, they realised it was more than just another animal.
Posting images on Facebook, Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium shared shots of the "beast" found along Kaikoura beach, around 150 miles from Christchurch.
And fans began to share and like the images in amazement at the giant sea creature's size.
The centre captioned the photos: "Before the birds got to it - we got help to move it to the aquarium where it is safe inside a freezer with glass windows so you can see it - on display until we can do more with it.
"The mantle itself is over 2m long with a 19cm eye diameter!
"The longest tentacle is just a over 5m! What a beast!"
Experts have now put the huge animal on display at a local aquarium.
They all took samples of the rare creature and said they would be sent to both Auckland and Otago universities for further research.
(dailystar.co.uk)
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