A large Australian spider discovered in a small town at the top of New Zealand's South Island probably blew across the Tasman but is unlikely to live through the harsh Kiwi winter.

The Bibby family were surprised to discover a large golden orb web spider feasting on bees and wasps under the pergola at their home in Mapua, near Nelson.

The sheen of the golden orb's web is clear in the sunlight. Credit:Vicky Smith

Neville Bibby said he had no idea how the Australian native got there but "it's rather nice to have her".

"She has a magnificent web," Bibby said. "I can see why they call it a golden orb web spider – the web in sunlight is quite a golden colour."