A new report has identified the Great White shark as a threatened species, in New Zealand waters.

There are around a 5500 of them left with the decline being blamed on climate change and fishing practices.

Shark expert Riley Elliot doesn't believe climate change has as much of an impact as fishing, and unreported by-catch especially.

Elliot says it takes a shark around 40 years to reach adult maturity, so if a large female is taken out, the population is hit hard.

LISTEN ABOVE AS RILEY ELLIOT SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING