Jack Hemi

Jack Raharuhi Hemi (23 August 1914 – 1 June 1996) was a New Zealand freezing worker, rugby union and league player, shearer. Of Māori descent, he identified with the Ngati Kahungunu and Rangitane iwi. He was born in Te Poho-o-Tutawake, Wairarapa, New Zealand on 23 August 1914.[2]

Jack Hemi

Hemi in 1935
Personal information
Full name	Jack Raharuhi Hemi
Born	23 August 1914 Te Poho-o-Tutawake, New Zealand
Died	1 June 1996 (aged 81) Carterton, New Zealand
Playing information
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight	13 st (83 kg)
Rugby union
Position	Fullback, Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P Gladstone Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1933–1935 Wairarapa 1934–1935 New Zealand Māori
Rugby league
Position	Fullback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1936–1943 Manukau Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1936–1939 Auckland 1936–39 New Zealand 1 0 0 0 0 1937 New Zealand Māori 1945 Wellington
Source: [1]

Early years

Hemi attended Te Whiti School. He worked at a freezing works and, when his father died in 1936, Hemi assumed responsibility for his mother and four siblings.[2]

Rugby union career

Hemi played rugby union for the Gladstone club and first represented Wairarapa in 1933, aged only 18. He played for New Zealand Māori in 1934 and toured Australia with the team in 1935. He was also an All Blacks trialist in 1935.[2]

Rugby league career

In 1936 Hemi switched codes, joining the new Manukau rugby league club in the Auckland Rugby League competition.[3] He represented New Zealand that year against Great Britain and also played for Auckland.[3][4] He represented New Zealand Māori in 1937, being part of the team that defeated Australia 16–5 at Carlaw Park.[5]

He toured Australia in 1938, slotting a goal against Queensland from 17 yards behind the halfway line. Hemi toured Great Britain in 1939, but World War II ended the tour without a test match being played.[2] Exempt from War duty, Hemi played for Manukau in 1943.[3]

In 1945 he represented Wellington alongside his younger brother, Lou.[2]

References

1. "Jack Hemi". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
2. Hemi, M. A. (1998). "Jack Raharuhi Hemi". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
3. Coffey, John and Wood, Bernie (2009) Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4.
4. HEMI, Jack Raharuhi – 1936 – 39 nzleague.co.nz
5. Coffey, John. Canterbury XIII, Christchurch, 1987.