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Story: Sharks and rays

Recorded shark attacks in New Zealand to 2014

This map shows the locations of recorded shark attacks in New Zealand. The cluster around Auckland is to be expected because of the area’s dense population and the popularity of swimming in its warm waters. The cluster of attacks around the less densely populated and cooler Dunedin–Otago region may indicate more dangerous species in that region.

Using this item

Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Sources: Geoffrey Cox and Malcolm Francis, "Sharks and Rays of New Zealand". Christchurch: Canterbury University Press, 1997, p.31; Shark Attack Survivors

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How to cite this page

Gerard Hutching, Sharks and rays – Shark attacks, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/5334/recorded-shark-attacks-in-new-zealand-to-2014 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 2 March 2009.

Comments

jonathan healey
30 December 2024
fish farms in the Marlborough sounds is a concern with the outdoor boating and leisure activities and water ski ing behind boats. bringing sharks into the area....from deeper waters.
JP Friel
31 January 2022
Any plans to update this?
Bob Del
08 March 2012
I have read in the Herald today there was a fatal attack at Whangamata in 2010. This does not appear on your map. If this story is correct, then does your map need updating ? Will the non-fatal attack in Taranaki recently be also added ?
hector
09 January 2012
I do often spearfishing in NZ, so it rise my concern that a shark may get attracted to my catch specially if it's bleeding, however it's very rare to even see one while diving, yes they are around but they dont get close to u as u r like an alien to them and they will be more scared from u, unprovoked attack it occurs by mistaken the human to their prey it happends in sneaky way so always look around while snorkling this situation is very rare to happends just compare how many millions of people go swimming every year n the number of inccidents that occur, if u see a shark and it seems like he getting too close to u use ur front hand to hit it on the noise for driving it away, dont frick out if they turn around u as they trying to figure out what u r so they are more cautions than u ,try to relax and they ll swim away, for many divers it's like dream for them to encounter shark.
neil murphy
03 October 2011
i have recently visited new zealand and went swimming in bucklands beach area it was rather cloudy the water visibility was poor i went about waist deep is there a chance a shark could have been near
nylonic
13 July 2011
There's no such occurrence as an 'unprovoked' shark attack. It's another nonsense word used by experts to try to appear more intelligent than what they actually are. Sharks don't climb out onto the beach, if you call them names they don't get angry, in fact if you shot or injured one it'd probably swim away. The only 'provocation' happening is that people are stupid enough to get into the water with animals that are stronger, faster and willing to bite, eat and kills humans.Try talking sense instead of patting yourself on your backs.