Orewa beach sharks: Two spotted by police helicopter, one 2-3m beast lurking close to shore

Friday, 27 December 2019

A beloved Auckland swimming spot is once again closed following the sighting of two sharks, one close to shore.

The shadow of one of the predators was spotted by cops aboard the police Eagle helicopter about 4pm Sunday afternoon, police confirmed.

It was lurking close to Orewa beach, at a distance of 200-300m, while the other was seen further out.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand northern duty officer Faron Turner said the airborne officers believed one was 2-3m long.

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'If it's over 2m and close to shore then we close the beach for an hour between the flags.'

The sightings come after the same beach was closed for a few hours on Christmas Day after reports of a 2 metre-long shark swimming about 500m off shore.

Turner said bronze whalers and hammerheads were regularly seen in northern waters at this time of year, but the species of these sharks was unknown.

He expected the beach would re-open about 5pm so long as no further sharks were seen in the shallows.

A Stuff reporter at the scene said the police eagle helicopter was seen hovering above Orewa beach about 4pm, around the same time beach-goers fled to shore.

However, there was no panic evident among the crowds, she said.

'Everyone was easy going about the scenario.'

Turner said the beach would have been re-opened an hour after the sighting, but that was delayed because the 2-3m shark was again seen near shore about 5.10pm.

Surf lifesavers in an inflatable rescue boat were keeping an eye on him, he said.