The 14-year-old Whangarei Boys' High student who died in a quad bike tragedy south of Kaikohe has been described as a "lovely young man" who threw himself into everything he did.
Robbie McKenzie was bringing the cows in for milking on a family farm on Mataraua Rd, south of Kaikohe, about 5.30am on Thursday when the quad bike he was riding rolled into a drain, trapping him underneath.
His father found him but, unable to move the bike, had to go back to the house for a truck to tow it off him. He attempted CPR then rushed him to Broadway Health in Kaikohe, which was still closed, so he called 111.
An ambulance from the nearby St John station arrived minutes later but medics were unable to revive him, despite performing CPR for 45 minutes. They were aided by volunteers from Kaikohe Fire Brigade.
The family, originally from Scotland, arrived in Northland via Australia three years ago. They bought a farm in 2011 at Opononi where the family is based.
Robbie went to Kaikohe Christian School, which his older brother Eoghan and little sister Flora still attend, before starting at Whangarei Boys' High this year.
He had been staying at Mataraua with his father and brother. His mother and sister were in Scotland visiting friends and family at the time of the accident. They are now on their way home.
Yvonne Vujcich, deputy principal at Kaikohe Christian School, said Robbie was a "lovely young man" who was generous, respectful and reliable.
"He had a really good heart. He cared about doing his best and trying his best in whatever he was asked to do. We just loved being able to teach him and have him at our school."
Ms Vujcich said Robbie went to Whangarei this year for a wider choice of practical subjects. He was looking at a career in agriculture or horticulture, following in his family's footsteps.
- Peter de Graaf of the Northern Advocate
