Swimmers are urged to swim between the red and yellow flags and to always obey the advice of Surf Lifeguards.
While Burgess said it was natural for people to be nervous about getting in the water, there were a few general rules that could help reduce the risk of an attack.
"Swimmers should avoid entering the water after dusk, at night or before dawn when some sharks are typically more active. You should also avoid swimming in, or near, murky or silt-laden waters or near schools of fish. Never swim or surf alone and, of course, one of our key safety messages is always - if in doubt, stay out," he said.
Mayor Len Brown said the tragedy at Muriwai has touched the hearts of Aucklanders.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Adam Strange and also with the people of Muriwai, who have rallied to support each other through this time," he said.
"In the coming weeks, we will talk more about our preparedness to deal with rare incidents like this, but for now we must let the families have some privacy and allow our Lifeguards and park rangers to continue with their good work."
Surf Life Saving said they have sought expert advice from their Australian counterparts and from the Department of Conservation's shark expert.
- nzherald.co.nz
