Haupai Henare

Haupai Henare was born 21 years ago to Mr and Mrs G. W. Henare, of Te Araroa.

He attended the Whakaangiangi Primary School, seven miles south of Te Araroa, until moving to Gisborne to take up residence at the Boys' High School rectory.

While at the Boys' High, he played as full-back for the First XV for four years, being coached by the former Poverty Bay selector and coach, Mr "Husky" Preston. It was in those years that he established himself as a goal kicker of some repute.

On leaving school he moved to Auckland, where he gained selection in the Auckland representative side, playing in the team's six successful and one unsuccessful defences of the Ranfurly Shield in the 1963 season.

He returned to Gisborne this year, and was selected for the New Zealand Colts' tour of Australia, kicking 43 points in five games to make himself the top scorer of the tour.

Unfortunately, injury has plagued Henare since then, and he was forced to withdraw his nomination for the Maori All Black trials for their tour of Fiji.

A member of the Gisborne Maori Club, and of the Poverty Bay representative squad, he has played 15 first-class games in his two seasons of senior rugby, only one of these being for Poverty Bay.

He is employed as a field assistant by the Gisborne department of the Ministry of Works.