Man killed in shark attack near Chatham Islands in New Zealand

The young man’s grieving father believes his son was taken by a great white shark near Chatham Islands in New Zealand.

A commercial diver has been killed in a shark attack in New Zealand.

Jade Kahukore-Dixon, 24, was attacked near Chatham Islands, about 800km east of the South Island, on Tuesday.

Local police confirmed a man died in hospital following a shark attack, telling Stuff; “Emergency services were called around midday, following reports the man, who had been diving off a boat, had been critically injured.”

“He was rushed to Chatham Island Hospital but has since died,”

Mr Kahukore-Dixon’s father Jacky Dixon said he had limited information on the incident but believes a great white shark had mauled his son.

Jade Kahukore-Dixon, 24, was mauled off the Chatham Islands. Picture: Air Chatham

Mr Dixon said his son was a “very tough, young fella” who “loved fishing and diving”.

“He would do anything to protect his family. He was an amazing boy, a very much-loved member of the family,” Mr Dixon added.

“I couldn’t believe it. I kept picturing him when he was little. I’m not going to have my son.”

Mr Dixon said his son often saw great white sharks but was unafraid.

After the attack Mr Kahukore-Dixon was taken to Waitangi Wharf before being rushed to hospital.

Jade Kahukore-Dixon, 24, was killed in a shark attack.

Chatham Islands mayor Monique Croon said she knew the young man.

“He’s a local boy. He’s well-known, well-liked and this will be devastating for our commercial divers … everybody is in shock,” she told Newstalk ZB.

“It’s the biggest risk, the biggest fear.”

Mr Kahukore-Dixon was the director of newly formed company Nomad Diving Limited, which was registered in June.

Shark researcher Kina Scollay said shark attacks in the waters surrounding the islands were rare.

The islands are inhabited by about 800 people.

Originally published as Man killed in shark attack near Chatham Islands in New Zealand