WELLINGTON OR CHRISTCHURCH, DIRECT TO CHATHAM ISLANDS CHRISTCHURCH, DIRECT TO CHATHAM ISLANDS WELLINGTON OR

“[Dr] Puketapu was also a top rugby player in his youth, playing as a Centre for the Petone Rugby Premier Team that won the prestigious Jubilee Cup in 1956 and 1957.

“He was a member of the Wellington Provincial Representative Rugby Team, winning the Ranfurly Shield in 1956 and was selected in the M ori All Blacks in 1955 and 1956.

“After hanging up the boots,[Dr] Puketapu moved into Rugby League administration and coaching.

“During his leadership, the Wainuiomata Rugby League Club got promoted from Second Division to First Division, won seven Wellington Championships, played in four national finals and won three national titles.

“In addition, the Wainuiomata Rugby League Club has produced five All Blacks (more than the Rugby Club), five Kiwi Internationals and two Kiwi Ferns,” the Prime Minister said.

Well known Wainuiomata resident Fauono Ken Laban was the Hutt Valley Sports

Award producer and Chair of the organising committee for the event.

Dr Puketapu was “a leader, visionary, mentor and coach,” says Mr Laban, who captained the successful Wainuiomata Rugby League team that Dr Puketapu coached. He was “an exceptional human being who changed the course of history with his emphatic and sincere leadership style.”

Now 89 years, Dr Puketapu was unable to attend the award presentation, but received the award at his Wainuiomata home.