New Zealand Rugby (NZR), the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board (NZMRB) and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) are mourning the loss of former All Black and Māori All Black Norm Hewitt (Ngāti Kahungunu) who passed away yesterday in Wellington.
NZR CEO Mark Robinson acknowledged Hewitt for his contribution to all levels of the game.
"I played against Norm as a young player, and he was uncompromising on the field but always gracious with his time off it. He was a regular on the sidelines of club rugby, passionate about the provincial game and a proud All Black and Māori All Black. Our thoughts are with Norm's family and loved ones at this time."
New Zealand Māori Rugby Board member and former teammate Arran Pene added:
“Norm was passionate both on and off the field. He loved his whānau, his rugby and the rugby community. Māori rugby mourns his loss, and our aroha is extended to the whānau. Moe mai rā e te tuakana”.
NZRPA CEO Rob Nichol paid tribute to Hewitt as a founding Board member of the association.
“Norm was highly influential in our establishment, and the opportunities and support provided for players to this day. Norm was a proud man, who loved his family and cared greatly for his friends. His impact within rugby, the wider community, and on the huge variety of people and organisations he helped over the years has been immense.
“We are proud of all Norm achieved, will be forever grateful for his inspiration and contribution, and will miss him. On behalf of the Players we send our deepest love and support to Arlene and the family. Rest in peace and love our friend.”
Norm was a loved son, husband, father and brother. Hewitt is also recognised for his significant contributions to Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Southland and the Hurricanes.
NZR asks that the privacy of the whānau is respected and further enquiries can be made to the whānau spokesperson Michael Laws.
Paiahaha Paiahaha
Hikohiko te uira
Papa te whatatiri
Rū ana te whēnua e
Haere atu ra
E te rangatira Norm Hewitt
E te toa o te papa whutupōro
Te Mūrau a te tini, Te Wenerau a te mano.
Ko te ao Whutupōro e tangi ana mōu.
Haere e moe okioki ai
Attention Attention
Lightening flashes
Thunder flashes
The earth reverberates
Go now
Norm Hewitt our chief
Warrior on the rugby field
The dread of the many, the awe of multitudes.
The World of Rugby mourns for you
Farewell, rest now in quiet repose.
Norm Hewitt bio:
A Hawke's Bay product and All Black 938, Hewitt made that union's representative side as a 20-year hooker in 1988 and until 1994 he played in 92 matches, including the wins over the 1993 Lions and the 1994 French. Between 1995 and 1997 he played 22 matches for Southland, moving there after the Bay were relegated to the NPC second division. Hewitt's third provincial side was Wellington, for whom he played 31 matches between 1999 and 2001, the highlight being leading the side in the NPC first division final of 2000 against Canterbury. Hewitt came into the All Black side as understudy to Fitzpatrick in the 1993 series against the Lions and made the tour later that year to Scotland and England. Over six seasons, Hewitt made 23 All Black matches including nine tests. Hewitt was also a stalwart of the Hurricanes and New Zealand Māori sides, often as the captain. He played in 66 Super 12 matches and was in the Māori side for more than a decade. Hewitt was also a foundational Board member of the New Zealand Rugby Players Association and was instrumental in the association’s early work.
