Adam Hunter Andrew Strange

Adam Strange was an award-winning director and regular swimmer at Muriwai Beach north of Auckland. He was in training for the King of the Bays ocean swim on the afternoon of 27 February 2013. Adam was swimming from Maori Bay to Muriwai Beach, 200 hundred metres from shore, at around 1.30pm when he was attacked by a 4m great white shark as witnessed by fishermen on nearby rocks. As Adam raised his hand for help, they called out to him that help was coming, but the shark attacked again and repeatedly dragged Adam underwater. The fishermen realised that Adam was dead and then saw up to four other sharks join the attack. Armed police responded in a helicopter and an inflatable surf lifesaving boat, firing into the ocean to drive the sharks off so lifeguards could recover his body. The ferocity and determination of the largest shark shocked rescuers as it was not deterred by being whacked over the snout with a paddle or the gunshots. Eventually Adam's remains were able to be retrieved. Adam had a background in painting, photography and graphic design. He won a Crystal Bear with his first short film Aphrodite's Farm at the Berlin Film Festival in 2009. He had also been a finalist at the London International Awards. Adam was married to Meg and the father of Indigo, aged 2.

STRANGE, Adam Hunter Andrew. 1965 - 2013, taken tragically by the ocean he loves. Glorious and great father of Indigo, husband of Meg, son of Jeanette and the late Hunter, big brother to Tristan and the late Erin. All are welcome to a celebration of Addy's life held at Muriwai Surf Life Saving Club on Monday 4 March 2013 at 3pm. Fortune favours the bold. Source: The New Zealand Herald from Mar. 1 to Mar. 2, 2013.

• 2003: The Gateway to Hell
• 2008: Aphrodite's Farm