Waihi Beach death first fatal shark attack in New Zealand since 2013

Published: Jan. 7, 2021, 7:48 p.m.

A woman died at Waihi Beach in the western Bay of Plenty on Thursday in what's believed to have been a shark attack at the holiday hotspot. Emergency services were called to Waihi Beach soon after 5pm, after reports of a woman being injured in the water. She died a short time later. It's the first fatal shark attack in New Zealand waters since 2013. National Lifesaving manager for Surf Lifesaving New Zealand Andy Kent spoke to Philippa Tolley.