I lived in Auckland, 3km from this beach for 40 years. For the very first time, low tide uncovered this Petrified Forest and volcanic ash/mud on Takapuna Beach. Once this forest went from here through to Great Barrier Island, but Rangitoto put paid to that when it erupted - approximately 600 years ago. The volcano has been dormant since, and can be seen here in the distance. It's one of Auckland's Icons, and a view that is missed now I live in the South Island. A stunning winters day, and I even got a photo of someone sunbathing in a Bikini.
