Dixon, 24, was brutally killed after he dived into the water off remote islands near New Zealand on Tuesday - and was mauled to death by a great white shark

A RUGBY player has been mauled to death by a great white shark after diving off a boat. Jade Kahukore-Dixon, 24, jumped into the water off remote islands near New Zealand before he was savaged by

Island-dweller and ocean lover Jade Kahukore-Dixon had jumped into waters off New Zealand when he was mauled by a great white shark in a horror attack that has rocked the community

Local media named the man as 24-year-old Jade Kahukore-Dixon who was reportedly described by his dad as a "very tough, young fella" who had "loved fishing and diving" from a young age.

Dixon, 24, was mauled off the Chatham Islands, about 800km east of New Zealand's South Island, at midday on Tuesday.