New Zealander Killed by Shark in Australia Was Not Wearing Shark Deterrent Device He Owned

A New Zealander who was killed by a shark while surfing in Australia owned a shark deterrent device but chose not to use it on the day of the incident, according to a coroner's inquest.

Steven Payne, a 37-year-old from Wellington, died after being attacked by a great white shark at Wharton Beach in Western Australia in March 2025. His body has not been recovered, and his partner, Catherine Birch, witnessed the attack from the shore. Drone footage captured the incident, which helped authorities determine that Payne could not have survived the attack.

Payne was surfing with two other individuals around 10:15 a.m. on March 10 when the attack occurred. His partner, Catherine, was on the beach with their dog, Poppy, and later saw a commotion in the water. She realized that the person involved was Payne, who was wearing the same distinctive sun hat he always wore. From her perspective, she immediately knew that he was dead.

The coroner’s inquest heard that Payne’s fellow surfers were unable to assist him because they were on nearby rocks, and the shore was too far away to reach him in time. Payne was in chest-deep water about 50 meters from the shore when the attack occurred, and the drone footage showed that he sustained injuries and blood loss that were incompatible with life.

Investigations revealed that Payne owned a shark deterrent device, which typically emits an electrical pulse to repel sharks. However, he had decided not to use it, believing it would not be necessary once he left South Australia. Despite this, he had previously avoided surfing in South Australia after being warned about a recent fatal attack there. He also had a history of being cautious, having skipped a beach two months earlier after locals mentioned a similar incident.

Payne was born in New Zealand but had been living in Geelong, Victoria, with his partner of 12 years, Catherine. They were on a six-month caravan holiday when the tragedy occurred, and Payne’s family described him as a beloved partner, son, brother, uncle, and friend. They noted that he was an experienced surfer who had shared waves with dolphins and had a deep connection with the ocean.

His family emphasized that Payne was aware of the risks of being in the ocean and would not have supported a shark cull. They described him as a gentle giant—smart, kind, funny, and practical.