Third great white tagged in Bowentown

• Author: Emma Houpt
• Published date: 26 January 2023
• Publication title: Katikati Advertiser

Dr Riley Elliott, from Tairua, said he tagged another great white shark on Monday, January 16, inside the northern end of Matakana Island by the Bowentown entrance

Mananui, named by the area’s hapū Te Whānau a Tauwhao, was the “largest great white tagged so far” at 3.2m long.

Elliott received a Department of Conservation permit in June to track and satellite-tag 20 great white sharks, with the project allowing people to see where the animals are travelling through a live app.

The project is driven by funding and support from the public and is hosted by the Sustainable Ocean Society — a non-profit established by Elliott and a group of his friends.

In a post on social media, he said Mananui was classified as a sub-adult, meaning she was no longer a juvenile but not yet reproductively mature.

At this size, great whites generally fed on seals, he said.

“Her presence was awe-inspiring in size and demeanour. She wears battle scars and scratches but was cautious and calculated.”

Elliott had identified the great white as having resided in the area for the last three summers through photos taken by fishermen.

He reflected on her prestige, saying Mananui was a stronghold Pā site protecting the people of Te Whānau a Tauwhao.

“Like Mananui the Pā, she represents a stronghold presence of prestige and great mana.”

Speaking to the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, Elliott said there was a lot of excitement every time he tagged a great white. However, he said this interaction was particularly special.

“To turn around and see a 3.2m great white in a harbour in North...