All Black's cousin dies in rural road crash

Keith Robinson. Photo / Supplied

A teenage cousin of former All Black Keith Robinson was the first person to die on the roads this Easter.

James Robinson, 18, of Morrinsville, was killed when his Ford Focus hatchback spun out of control and crashed into a paddock near Waharoa some time after midnight on Friday.

His body was found still strapped into the car by a farmer the next morning.

Several hours later, at 10am, 59-year-old Barbara June Moseley from Marton was killed 65km away at Taupiri on State Highway 1 after her car drifted across the centre line into an oncoming truck.

James was described as a keen hunter and hiker who was a "natural" outdoors man.

The former Morrinsville College student, whose father Royce is the uncle of former All Black hardman Keith, was also a keen Scout.

Paul Le Heron, his former Scout leader, said: "He was a bit of a natural at outdoors activities, he had a top sporting background.

"He used to go hunting for rabbits and pigs with his father. He was just a young boy who really enjoyed life.

"James was well on his way to getting a Queen Scout's Award with the Scouts, which only a small fraction of people achieve. He was always challenging himself to try new things.

"He motivated the team around him. He had a lot going for him. It's always a tragedy when any child dies."

James was a member of the Morrinsville Wheelers Cycling Club and had competed in national competitions at age-group level.

Traffic investigators are trying to determine if Robinson had been speeding before the crash.