Ceremony at Muriwai to remember shark attack victim

A fitting ceremony this morning at west Auckland's Muriwai Beach to bless the site where Adam Strange was killed in a shark attack yesterday.

Family members, friends, members of the local community and iwi representatives walked into the waters as the cleansing ceremony took place, hugging each other, and writing messages of love in the sand.

Friends say the 46-year-old was a man who loved the sea and anything to do with the water.

Surfing friend Chris Sisarich says this morning's ceremony was a healing way to pay tribute to a life.

He says standing in the sea with the ocean at their feet was cathartic.

And it has been all but confirmed that the attacking shark was a Great White.

Muriwai Lifeguard Service Chair Tim Jago says they are 99 per cent certain it was a Great White shark.

He says video images from a helicopter yesterday show the length and shape was much bigger than that of a Mako or Bronze Whaler, as they simply don't grow that big out there.

Tim Jago says the behaviour the shark exhibited - that it didn't want to surrender the body - is also that of a Great White.

Muriwai Beach will remain closed until Saturday.

Police, Surf Life Savers and the Department of Conservation have made the decision following the shark attack

There's been no sign of the four metre shark that mauled Adam Strange to death.

It's thought it's either left the area, or it's dead and the body is lying on the sea bed.

Photo / Juliette Sivertsen / Newstalk ZB