The fatal shark attack at Muriwai beach dominates the front pages on Thursday. On average there are two shark attacks every year in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Herald reports a policeman fired up to 12 shots at the shark in a bid to retrieve the body of Adam Strange, 46.
The paper quotes a police source as saying it was possible that up to three sharks, most likely great whites, had been feeding on fish and birds and Mr Strange swam right into the middle before being attacked.
The Waikato Times says a fisherman who witnessed the attack dialled 111 and ran to Muriwai to get lifeguards. A friend of the family said Mr Strange was training for an ocean swim.
An award winning director, Mr Strange was involved with the surf lifesaving club at Muriwai and was very familiar with the waters.
The Dominion Post quotes Department of Conservation shark expert Clinton Duffy as saying there is no doubt the killer shark was a great white.
Mr Duffy said the fact the shark hung around suggests it was a larger shark as smaller species normally flee after attacking. On average there are two shark attacks every year in New Zealand.
The Press looks at past shark attacks. The last death was in 2009, when a kayaker was mauled by a great white in the Coromandel - whether he drowned before the shark found him is still disputed.
Before that, the last death was in 1976, in Te Kaha, near the Bay of Plenty, when a spearfisherman was attacked by what was thought to be a bronze whaler.
Other News
The Press reports the University of Canterbury is asking the Government for "urgent" help to remain financially viable after posting a deficit of $67 million. Most of the loss was attributed to the earthquake.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times leads with plans for a new convention centre in Queenstown with SkyCity Entertainment being announced as the preferred operator for the proposal.
The centre is yet to get approval from the council, but it is already being welcomed by the Tourism Industry Association, which says the development will bring significant financial benefits to the region.
And Fisher & Paykel Applicances is expanding its product design centre and plans to hire 100 research and development staff for its Dunedin and Auckland operations.
