Anyone interested in what is inside a great white shark can attend a public necropsy of a 3m long, 300kg shark at the Auckland Museum on Thursday and see for themselves.
The shark was found dead, tangled in a grill net, in Kaipara Harbour last Monday.
The fisherman notified the Department of Conservation (DOC) who, along with the Auckland Museum, decided to hold the public event to raise awareness of threats to the protected species.
The necropsy, an animal autopsy, will be carried out by DOC's Clinton Duffy and museum marine curator Tom Trnski.
"This is a rare opportunity for people to get a close look at a Great White, and to see how scientists find out more about the complexities of the natural world through their research.
"Little is known about the life history of these apex predators of the ocean, and we hope to learn more about the shark's recent past before it came into the harbour," Mr Trnski said.
They will look at the shark's stomach contents and measure its internal organs.
The necropsy will take place from 11am-1pm in the loading dock at the southeast corner of the museum this Thursday.
NZPA