A juvenile female shark has washed up on Waihi Beach in the Coromandel.

Department of Conservation marine scientist Clinton Duffy says the shark that washed up on Saturday is a juvenile female mako shark.

'They are a very common pelagic species, usually found in open, offshore areas.

'Adults and juveniles are present in New Zealand waters all year round, and juveniles are usually found closer to shore than adults.

'Adult mako can reach more than four metres in length and weigh more than 350 kilograms. They're primarily predators of fast swimming surface fish like kahawai, tuna, marlin and swordfish,” says Clinton.

According to the DOC website, around 66 types of sharks are found in New Zealand waters ranging in size from the tiny pygmy shark which grows up to 27cm long to the 12-metre long whale shark.

For more information about sharks in New Zealand, click here: