Mr John Anthony Shaw (51) died when his car left the road and crashed into a tree south of Auckland.

Well-known in the motor trade, Mr Shaw emigrated to New Zealand for a second time eight years ago and was working as sales manager for a garage that specialises in importing Japanese cars.

Previously he worked at Walker Farrimond Citroen, Nelson, for 11 years as service manager, having returned from emigrating a first time with his mother, Patricia, and sister, Helen, to New Zealand.

The former pupil of Mansfield High School, Brierfield, started work with his well-known father Peter at Peter Shaw Motors, where he trained as a mechanic.

But his love of soul music took him on a different path for a few years. Mr Shaw had been a popular DJ at the Nelson Grammar School Old Boys' Club and the Good Night Club, but later became road manager for 1970s rhythm and blues funk band Heatwave.

His other love was his three children, Samantha (22), Jonathan (20) and Kia (15), who live in Nelson and Colne, and Burnley FC.

His father Peter last year travelled to New Zealand with his wife Rosemarie for John's 50th birthday. He said: "John spent hours on the telephone to his three children. He loved them dearly, even while so far away. He followed his beloved Burnley FC every day on the Internet and had a new strip sent every year."