Beachgoers on the Māhia Peninsula in northern Hawkes Bay are being warned about the risk of shark attacks after a Great White ripped a whale from a rescuer who was trying to re-float it.
The incident happened as mother pygmy whale and her calf were stranding on Opoutama Beach on Sunday.
The shark killed the mother whale and the calf had to be euthanised.
Local Police officer Chad Prentice says while sharks are common in the area, this kind of story is not.
Prentice spoke to Charlotte Cook.
