Sharks/mangō

Introduction

Information about some of the shark species found around the New Zealand coast,

    Sharks and their close relatives skates and rays are for the most part quite harmless. New Zealand has its own distinctive shark and ray fauna, with species occupying habitats ranging from the shores, to the open ocean, to the depths of the continental slope.

    About 66 types of sharks are found in New Zealand waters ranging in size from the tiny pygmy shark which grows up to 27 cm long to the 12-metre long whale shark. Only a few species are listed here. 

    Basking shark

    Basking shark

    Although historically abundant in some waters around New Zealand, the basking shark, the second largest fish in the world, is showing signs of decline.

    Smalltooth sandtiger shark

    Smalltooth sandtiger shark

    Smalltooth sandtiger sharks are found in the deep waters of the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope off the North Island and oceanic ridges north of New Zealand.

    Oceanic whitetip shark

    Oceanic whitetip shark

    The oceanic whitetip shark is a large highly migratory species that is most abundant in tropical regions of the world's oceans.

    Giant manta ray

    Giant manta ray

    The giant manta ray is the only manta ray recorded from New Zealand. It is common off the northeast coast of North Island from spring to early autumn.

    Spine-tailed devil ray

    Spine-tailed devil ray

    Found in tropical and warm temperate seas, the spine-tailed devil ray is a regular visitor to waters off the northern North Island.

    Whale shark

    Whale shark

    The world’s largest fish, the filter-feeding and highly migratory whale shark, occasionally visits northern New Zealand’s waters.

    White sharks

    White sharks

    New Zealand is recognised as one of the world’s hot spots for white sharks.

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