He was swimming near popular Muriwai Beach on Wednesday when he was attacked by the shark that was possibly 14 feet (4 meters) long.

NPR: Loved Ones Salute New Zealand Dad Killed By Shark

Muriwai will remained closed for swimming until Saturday after the fatal attack, one of only about a dozen in New Zealand in the past 180 years.

NPR: Loved Ones Salute New Zealand Dad Killed By Shark

Tim Jago, chairman of the Muriwai Lifeguard Service, said a number of beaches near Muriwai reopened Thursday and that Muriwai would open for beach visits Friday and then swimming on Saturday.

NPR: Loved Ones Salute New Zealand Dad Killed By Shark