Mt Maunganui beach has been closed after a shark sighting but will be reopened in a few hours if there is no sign of the animal

A shark sighting has closed Mt Maunganui beach in the Bay of Plenty.

Surf lifeguard Michael Lord says the shark was spotted by a surfer just south of the beach near Rabbit Island.

It is not clear what sort of shark it is or how big it is but the lifeguards will be keeping an eye on the water for the next few hours. If there is no sign of the shark after that, the beach will be reopened
 

– NewstalkZB