Shark warning for Kiwis after series of Australian attacks

New Zealand swimmers, surfers and boaties are being urged to stay aware in the water following a recent series of shark attacks in Australian waters, which has renewed focus on shark behaviour and ocean safety.

The warning comes after several shark attacks were reported along the New South Wales coast over a short period, resulting in multiple injuries and prompting increased public attention around shark activity.

New Zealand shark scientist and conservationist Dr Riley “Shark Man” Elliott says sharks do not hunt people, but encounters can occur when conditions increase the chance of mistaken identity.

“Sharks don’t hunt people,” Elliott said. “Problems can occur when sharks are drawn into feeding areas, visibility is poor, and people enter the water at the same time.”

He said protected shark populations, including great white sharks, have increased in recent decades, while coastal development and recreational use of the ocean has also grown — leading to more overlap between people and marine predators.

Poor visibility, often caused by sediment, river runoff and disturbed coastal waters, can make it harder for sharks to clearly identify prey, particularly around harbour entrances and river mouths.

Dr Elliott advises extra caution for ocean users, especially:

After heavy rain

Near river mouths and harbour entrances

During dawn and dusk hours

When fish or marine life activity is visible

He also notes that tagged sharks regularly move between New Zealand and Australian waters, showing how widely these animals travel and why sightings can occur across large regions.

While shark encounters remain rare in New Zealand, the message for ocean users is to remain informed, respect conditions, and understand that the ocean is a shared environment.

— Adapted from Radio New Zealand reporting

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