Kokiri 19 - Te Puni Kokiri

MAI I NGä ROHEThis commemorative edition of Kökiri profiles Mäoriplayers who through the sport of rugby have contributedto their whänau, hapü, iwi and community.Te ArawaThe 1904 Rotorua Mäori Team.Source: Rotorua Museum of Art and History, Te Whare Taonga o Te ArawaTe Arawa has been hugely instrumental in thedevelopment of Mäori rugby. In 1904, Te Arawa welcomed the touringBritish at Öhinemutu and then invited them to play a game of rugby.This was the first time since 1888 that a team consisting solely ofMäori had attempted to be formed. When Tuoro Pango kicked thewinning conversion, the crowd erupted into a frenzy. Unfortunately,the game is not recorded in official records as it was deemed to beunofficial. In 1908, an Arawa XV played the visiting Anglo-Welsh side.On this occasion they couldn’t repeat the same result as four yearsearlier, yet like their predecessors the game does not appear on theofficial record for the same reason. The first team the New ZealandMäori played was the Rotorua Sub-Union in 1910.Ned ParataNed Parata receives a life membership from the NZRU, in 1943 for services to Mäori rugbyfrom the President of the NZRU DM Speeding.Source: Hocken LibraryThe contribution Wiremu ’Ned’ Tehoka Parata (Ngäi Tahu) madeto Mäori rugby is unequalled. After having petitioned the NZRU toestablish the New Zealand Mäori Men’s Rugby Team in 1910, thefollowing year Parata became the founding President of the Bay ofPlenty Rugby Union until 1925. He managed four New Zealand Mäoritours to Australia and held the same position for their epic tour toAustralia, Ceylon, France, England, Wales and Canada in 1926–27.He was also the first President of the Mäori Advisory Board andrepresented Mäori interests for four years on the NZRU Board. Outsideof rugby, Parata was an active member of the Ngäi Tahu Trust Board.He was awarded an OBE in 1948 and passed away the following year.Bill GrayThe Bay of Plenty Rugby Union has provided the most representativeswho have played for New Zealand Mäori, that number now standingat over one hundred. Players have included Ray Keepa, Bill Potae,Eddie Stokes, Hika Reid, Frank Shelford and Steve McDowell. Onesuch player, Bill Gray, from Tapuika and Te Arawa, was a good tennisplayer before turning his attention to playing at second five eight.He was an integral part of the All Blacks first test series win againstthe Springboks in 1956, and after suffering a near play-ending injury,returned to almost defeat the Lions of 1959 when playing for acombined provincial side.Bill Gray, standing, with Pat Walsh checking the ankle of awinger on the 1958 Tour of Australia.Source: New Zealand Rugby MuseumTE PUNI KÖKIRI | KÖKIRI | Höngongoi – Hereturiköka 201041