A golden day that not even sharks could spoil

The glorious sunshine in Auckland yesterday encouraged thousands of people to pack the beaches and enjoy what was some of this year's best weather.

Those in the water at Long Bay in the afternoon were oblivious to the fact that nearly 200 hammerhead sharks were swimming about 50m away.

Helicopter crewman Mark Cannell said the sharks, some up to 2.5m long, were at the bay's southern end.

Surf Life Saving Northern Region's communications co-ordinator Mark Godwin said the swimmers were not warned because no life-savers were patrolling the beach.

Auckland University marine scientist Professor John Montgomery said large hammerheads could be dangerous.

"Hammerheads do not have a very bad reputation but there are a few cases of attacks."

Despite the crowds, Surf Life Saving Northern Region and the Coastguard reported no major problems for swimmers or boaties, other than boat breakdowns, at other beaches around Auckland.

The maximum temperature yesterday was 23C, but MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt warned that the sunny weather would go as a low moved across the country this week.

"The easterlies are going to come and get us," he said.

"A low seems to be forming now near Fiji and that low is likely to be moving towards New Zealand."

Mr McDavitt said the low would bring rain for Thursday and Friday.

"There might be some left over for Anniversary Weekend as well."