At midnight on November 21 New Zealand will be the first country in the world to launch the Xbox One.

But until then, the highly-coveted device will be closely guarded by 20 of the most fierce predators known to man – sharks.

At 8:30am this morning, the first Xbox One console was placed in the shark tank at Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium, where it will be housed until the official New Zealand launch event at one minute past midnight.

"Never before has a gaming console been so eagerly awaited – or more safeguarded," says a spokesperson for Xbox New Zealand.

Kelly Tarlton’s 20 resident sharks are babysitting the valuable Xbox One for one week, during which time Xbox fans are invited to come and behold the device.

The Aquarium’s seven-gill shark is famous for pack hunting and is easily able to take down 350kg fur seals on its own, and out-swim dolphins and kingfish.

While the sand tiger shark’s fearsome appearance is equal to its frightening reputation – the magnificent hunter feeds by sawing though its prey before gulping down its dinner.

Xbox One launches globally on Friday 22 November.

In New Zealand, Xbox is throwing a party for the hundreds of people who have pre-ordered an Xbox One from EB Games. This invite-only event takes place at Auckland’s Shed 10 on Thursday 21 November following the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, of which Xbox is a Gold Sponsor.