Kiwi teen dies while freediving off Australian coast

Sam Brown - who grew up on Auckland's North Shore - died after attempting to dive 30 metres underwater. Photo / supplied

A Kiwi teenager has died while freediving with friends in Australia yesterday.

Sam Brown, 19, was free diving at Hutchison Shoal, north of Cape Moreton, with three friends yesterday about 7am.

A Brisbane police spokeswoman said the three boys were taking turns at attempting to dive 30 metres underwater, and while all boys made it to the surface, Sam then went back under.

"They all came back up but then the deceased blacked out and went back under the water, [his friends] have then gone back under to retrieve him."

She said despite their best efforts, the three boys were unable to save their friend.

"They are very very brave boys. It's very sad."

Brisbane Water Police and Volunteer Marine Rescue later assisted, she said.

Sam moved to the Gold Coast in 2007 with his parents and two brothers, but grew up in Greenhithe in the North Shore.

He attended St Joseph's Catholic School, before moving on to Takapuna Primary School.

Today, his mother Maree Hutton said since making the move to Australia her son had become an "obsessed surfer", and also loved to spear fish.

"Of late he was obsessed with spear fishing, and free diving and catching fish," his mother said.

Ms Hutton said Sam's love of the water bought him back to New Zealand two years ago to compete in the National Surfing Championships at Piha, where his family have a bach.

Despite his efforts to be a professional surfer, he had recently started studying to become a primary school teacher, his mother said.

Today she described her son as a "talented" and "self-driven" boy.

"He was just one of those kids that everyone loved to be honest. Just a nice person. People that know Sam all say the same thing - he is just a lovely kid."