Some Dunedin beachgoers have become complacent with sharks

Checkpoint · May 12, 2026 · 3m

There's nothing that'll clear a beach quicker than the sight of a dark fin silently ploughing through the water, followed by the panicked shout of "shark". In Dunedin a bell is used to warn surfers and swimmers it's time to get out because the apex predator is lurking. It was installed after fatal attacks back in the sixties. But there's concern some beachgoers have become complacent, even though it's been rung four times in the past two weeks. Tess Brunton has more.