After being attacked by a shark, a New Zealand doctor reportedly fought back with a knife, stitched his wound closed on the beach, then hit the pub for a beer before driving himself to the hospital on the weekend.

James Grant was spearfishing with friends when he felt a tug on his leg, he told the website news.com.au.

"(I thought) bugger, now I have to try and get this thing off my leg."

He had a knife in his hand that he used to stab at the animal — possibly a seven-gill shark — which eventually let go.

Grant made it back to shore where he saw the bites — up to 5 cm long. He used a first aid kit to give himself stitches before he and his friends went to a nearby tavern for a beer. While there, a staff member gave him a bandage because he was dripping blood on the floor. He then went to the hospital for more stitches.