Page 42 - NHS Beyond the Classroom

Thomas (Twiss) Wharakura 1971-2002

Tariana (Twiss) electrifying turn
Wharakura was of speed and the
equally at home in the star player proved
company of royalty he is the best
and prime ministers centre south of
as he was scrapping Auckland, if not the
for the ball on the country."
rugby league field. Twiss was in
As a schoolboy the Central Districts
in Ngaruawahia and rep team of 1979
later in his teens, he where his team-
proved a young mates included the
sportsman par likes of Kevin
excellence then, in Tamati, Whetu
later life, as a Henry, Howie
government Tamati and
chauffeur, he Grahame West.
displayed similar He played in
traits of efficiency, trials for the Kiwis
thoroughness and team to play Great
competency. Britain in 1979 but,
Of Tainui surprisingly to
(Ngati Mahuta, Ngati many, missed
Te Ata) descent, selection, although
Twiss was the third of he was on standby in
12 children, the son of case of injury.
Wiremu and Rimutere A newspaper
(nee Tauroa) Wharakura, and spent all of his early article said: "It is mystifying why Wellington's
life in Ngaruawahia. outstanding centre Twiss Wharakura missed
He excelled as an athlete from an early age selection." He did, however, make the New
and gained national honours when selected in the Zealand Maori rugby league team of 1981.
New Zealand schoolboys rugby league team in He hung up his competitive boots in 1984
1971, aged 15. but continued to be active, playing touch rugby
He also starred on the rugby field as a and was a member of the Grizzlies team which
youngster, making the North Island under-16 team won a Wellington title. He also played president's
in 1972, and at the same time won three national grade rugby and was a member of the
titles as a member of the Ngaruawahia High Johnsonville team which won a Wellington
School rowing eight. reserve grade title in 1992.
He was rewarded for those outstanding He later managed Johnsonville teams,
achievements by being awarded a 1972 New including the premier side of 1998 which won the
Zealand Herald Sports Award. Swindale Shield, and he became deeply involved
On leaving school in 1973, he went directly in softball, coaching Western Bays and
into the Turangawaewae rugby league club's Johnsonville age-grade teams with success.
senior side and the same season played in the He got his boots out to play alongside some
Northern Zone under-17 league team. of his Johnsonville mates in the World Golden
He set out for the bright lights soon after, moving Oldies tournament in Wellington in 2006.
to Wellington, where he married Cynthia Evans in After the closure of the Public Service
1975 and they had three sons - Andrew, Paul and Garage, he carried on with VIP Transport
Daniel. Services as a chauffeur and was still driving for
He started out as a postie before joining the them up until his death.
Public Service Garage in 1977. He had joined the Twiss chauffeured the Queen (during the
Petone Rugby League Club on reaching royal visit in 2002), Nelson Mandela, a host of
Wellington and played for that club and Eastern prime ministers including Rob Muldoon, David
Suburbs in the ensuing years. He won club titles Lange, Jenny Shipley, Helen Clark and John Key,
with Petone in 1978 and 1982. foreign prime ministers, governors-general, high
After the 1978 success an Evening Post commissioners and many other dignitaries, and
report stated: "Wharakura accelerated away for forged lasting friendships with many of them.
three incredible tries. Wharakura has an Twiss and Cynthia separated in 1990 and