4.5m great white shark shocks Coromandel anglers

A Great White. Photo / Supplied

Coromandel Peninsula angler Craig Hill and his son Kane were hoping to encounter some good-sized fish when they headed off on a trip in Mercury Bay on Monday. But they weren't expecting a monster.

They spotted a great white shark coming out of the Hahei Marine Reserve about mid-morning and say it circled round the back of the boat before heading off towards the middle of Cooks Beach.

They estimated its length to be about 4.5m.

Glass Bottom Boat owner Shane Harnett says it's the first encounter with a great white in his eight years of operation.

The Hills alerted the Coastguard and a friend at Cooks Beach who warned beachgoers. A warning was also broadcast on radio. The shark was reported later in the day off Wharekaho/Simpsons Beach.

Department of Conservation shark expert Clinton Duffy says the shark is probably on its way back to summer feeding grounds around Stewart Island after spending winter in the tropics.

Mr Duffy is involved in tagging and tracking great whites and is keen to hear about any sightings of them. Great white sightings can be reported to sharks@doc.govt.nz or to 0800 362468.

- NZPA