A shark attacked a snapper and bit off part of its body as it was being reeled in by an angler - but left enough on the hook for the fisher to win her contest.

Warm sea temperatures are a blessing for swimmers in the western Bay of Plenty, but the warmer waters are also bringing unwanted guests closer to shore.

The slaughter of 23 seals on the Kaikoura coast last week has prompted debate on whether seals need to be culled in the area.

Deep water fishing is firing at the moment, with large numbers of kingfish over deep pinnacles and reefs in the Hauraki Gulf.