Boaties and holiday-makers are being urged to take care after a 4.5-metre great white shark was hooked by a group out fishing in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.

Department of Conservation (DoC) shark expert Clinton Duffy said a family were fishing for snapper in a six-metre boat when they hooked the shark near Te Atatu.

The large shark jumped out of the water twice before breaking free from the fishing line and disappearing, he said.

Duffy said DoC was urging people to take care in the water in the area as the shark could still be patrolling and could be dangerous.

"A bite from any sort of shark over 1.8m long can be pretty serious."

The great white was likely to weigh close to a tonne and could do significant damage if it bit someone, he added.

While it was not uncommon for sharks to be in the harbour, the sighting of a great white of this size was rare, he said.

It was likely that the shark was attracted into the harbour by the large amounts of snapper in the area at the moment, Duffy said, adding that the struggling fish being caught by the group on Monday would have drawn the shark to the boat.

The shark might have moved on since the encounter earlier this week but it could still be in the area.

Great white sharks could reach speeds of at least 45 kilometres an hour so it could be long gone.

However, they had been known to stay in the Kaipara Harbour for weeks, Duffy said.

The great white would likely stay around as long as there was food in the area, he said.

The shark had not been sighted since Monday, when it was patrolling in the 2.5m-deep water.

However, the water was murky at the moment and visibility was poor.

If the shark was still around it would be patrolling the main channels and sticking to the deeper waters but it would come into shallow water near the shore if it thought there was something to eat, he said.

Large great white sharks were usually solitary.

DoC advised people not to swim in the area and those who were fishing, kayaking, or kite surfing in that area of the Waitemata should keep an eye out for the great white and keep themselves safe.

People should avoid doing things to attract the shark like dumping dead fish and old bait in the water.

Anyone fishing from a boat in the area should not attach a burley bag to their anchor chain.

Despite DoC's cautions, the Coastguard had not issued an official warning.

Coastguard said it had heard the fish tale but were more amused than concerned.

"How did they know it was a great white?" a spokeswoman said.

As to whether boaties were concerned, she said no.

"The harbour is full of sharks."

Yes: would be worth checking the shark ID skills of those anglers.  Plenty of bronzies around there.

A harbour GW is probably in to give birth to pups not really feeding as such. Could be a large bronzie also.

Otto wrote: Spent two days water skiing up there and all the kids came back, might need to try again.

they will go in very shallow. some cool you tube vids around when they were testing out the sub cams

Well as my very local area I would be most interested to know the truth.
But we are talking about fisherman here the only time when men spin yarns.
I have caught a number of sharks here they range from little doggies and pups, hammerhead and bronzes.
Bronzes here are quite prolific and there is one common thing with 90% of the bronzes I have caught and particularaly in the shallows the always jump.
The id of that shark would be good.
It is really a different kettle of fish if it's a white just a different attitude and generally far more inquisitive.
It's that bold inquisitive nature which will keep me out of the kayak. Not that I have ever been in a kayak.
Definetly put a different meaning on the water toys day we have up here.

The family's description of the shark's size, colour and behaviour convinced Mr Duffy it was probably a white pointer.

Red Boats charter skipper Andrew Somers believes he may have witnessed the incident on a return trip from the Riverhead historic tavern on Monday afternoon.

Another charter skipper, Ray Phillips of NZ Fishing Safaris, said he doubted the shark was a great white.

"I'd put my money on a bronze whaler, but who knows?" he said"

NZ coastline doesn't really have porpoises, few rare strays. Most likely 'Common Dolphin' you are thinking of.

Redfinger wrote: A guy came into the shop yesterday or day before - they were pretty sure it was a White due to the colour and size. Distinct Dark grey/ bluish tinge to top and very white belly. Plus he was sure it was in excess of 4m.  Don't really know what all fuss is about - I would doubt very much if it was the only white in the harbour at the moment.

thanks for adding a dose of reality RF

They do exist there but probably not common. December 15 2000 a 2.6 M , 225 kg Great white was caught 300 m off Takapuna beach in a snapper net. N.Z herald article still to found on the internet.
Shark experts verified this as a young G.W 5-6 years old