A woman's died after being mauled by a shark at Waihi Beach

Emergency services were called just after 5 yesterday afternoon, as the woman was dragged from the water, but she couldn't be saved.

Shark experts say there's been evidence of juvenile great whites in the area, although bronze whalers are more common.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand's Allan Mundy says it's fair for people to be vigilant -- but they shouldn't be scared away from the water.

He says people need to respect that the ocean is a shark's home.

Mundy says a good tip is to not gut fish on beaches, because it will attract animals -- not only sharks -- because they think there's food for them.