The white pointer shark is to be fully protected within New Zealand waters.
Conservation Minister Chris Carter announced the legislation to protect the shark at Kelly Tarlton's on Thursday.
From April it will be illegal to hunt, kill or harm the shark within New Zealand's 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. New Zealand flagged boats are also prohibited from catching the white pointer outside the zone.
Anyone caught possessing or trading any part of a white pointer will face up to $250,000 in fines or six months imprisonment.
Carter says despite the shark's reputation as a predator, it is vulnerable to fishing and in danger of becoming extinct.
"There are probably more great whites swimming around New Zealand than any other country but we still only have very few because they're very rare. We need to look after them," he says.
Carter says they are trying to discourage trophy hunters because there is a market for jaws and teeth which can fetch up to $12,000.
