Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 119: Kara Puketapu

Ihakara (Kara) Porutu Puketapu was perhaps best known for his work in public service and in Māori business and politics, but he was also a slashing, penetrative midfield back in the 1950s and early 1960s for Petone and Wellington and part of four Jubilee Cup winning squads and played for the Wellington representative team in several big matches.

In later life, he was honoured with a plaque along Jackson Street’s “Walk of Champions”. This reads, as per the post on the IlovePetone Facebook page:

“Kara Puketapu joined Petone Rugby Football Club in the early 1950s and played Senior A rugby from 1953 up to the early 1960s.

He represented Wellington in 42 games with the highlight being the Ranfurly Shield match in 1956 when Wellington won the shield. Kara played in the 1955 New Zealand Māori team.

He was a strong midfield back equally at home at second five eight or centre. He played in the Petone senior team with the likes of Bob Scott, Lionel Abbott, Don McIntosh and Bill Dick. He partnered Bill Sparks in the backline on a number of occasions and they formed a great pairing both on attack and defence.

Kara attended Wellington Technical College where he became head prefect. After retiring from rugby Kara became one of the main influences in setting up the strong Wainuiomata Rugby League Club. He also rose to the top in his profession becoming chief executive of Māori Affairs. He remains very involved in Māori activities especially on his Marae in Waiwhetu.”

Puketapu was born in Waiwhetū, near Petone on 26 February 1934.

He sprang to prominence for Petone on the rugby field at the end of the 1953 season. For various reasons, Petone found themselves in the Hardham Cup. In the final match of the season in poor conditions the teenager scored 10 points with a try, a penalty and a conversion in their 13-3 win over WCOB to see them win the Hardham Cup.

Petone and University had a great rivalry in the 1950s and in 1954 University won a three-peat of Jubilee Cups. But in their big match that year at Petone, the home team won 12-9. Griffin and Gallagher, in their Petone centenary book True Blue, wrote that “In the first minute of play Kara Puketapu pushed off his opposite [All Black] Fitzgerald to place Petone on attack where they remained for virtually all the first half”. Puketapu was also the goal-kicker and Petone led 12-0 at halftime.

Petone were runners-up to Onslow in 1955, losing two nail-biters late in the season, but returned to win the Jubilee Cup in 1956.

Griffin and Gallagher alluded to the “brilliance” of former All Black Bob Scott and New Zealand Māori backs Puketapu and Tom Katene that carried them to a 22-3 win over University in the decisive match of 1956.

Petone defended the Jubilee Cup in 1957. Puketapu started the year in this side, but by mid-season he stopped being listed in Petone’s line-ups. He also didn’t play for Wellington that representative season. This presents two options as to why. The first is he sustained a season ending injury (presumably the most likely). The second is because of work or study or a temporary shift out of the area.

Nevertheless, he was back in 1958 as Petone were runners-up to University in 1958, before being back in Petone’s backline to win the Jubilee Cup for a third time in 1959 in a closely run competition that saw five teams heading into the last day in with a shout of winning or sharing the spoils. Petone, with a one-point lead, won their game and thus won outright.

Petone were third behind Marist in 1960, but Puketapu returned to win his fourth Jubilee Cup in 1961. He was in and out of the starting line-up this season, sometimes listed as an ‘emergency’  – so often riding the pine.

A key match of the season in 1961 saw Petone hold on to beat Onslow 16-15, a missed conversion that shaved the upright by Onslow aiding in this result.

In May 1956, the Rugby Weekly wrote: “I.P. Puketapu, who came into the representative side halfway through last season, is showing fine dash for Petone. He has every attribute, good hands, powerful running and solid defence. All that is needed to take him to the top flight is more finesse in the centre three-quarter position. Experience should provide this.”

Puketapu played one match for the Wellington representative team in 1954 and four times in 1955, but 1956 was perhaps his most memorable season. He only played six matches for Wellington A that year, but one of those was one of the biggest matches of the year.

On 22 September, Wellington lifted the Ranfurly Shield off Canterbury, Puketapu kicking a conversion their 8-0 win.

The following week they defended it against Auckland with a tense 9-6 victory, to lock it away for the summer.

Puketapu didn’t play for Wellington in 1957 for reasons unknown (see above – this writer speculates he was injured as his name was missing from club rugby teamsheets from mid-season onward), but he returned in 1958 to make the final 12 appearances of his career.

Puketapu and Wellington won eight from 15 matches. On 30 August 1958 Puketapu played in his second Ranfurly Shield challenge match, in a 6-6 draw against holders Taranaki. In a forwards dominated fixture, Puketapu set up Wellington’s only try of the game with a kick behind the line for Ralph Caulton to run on to.

He also played various games of first-class status for Wellington B and the Centurions club, together with appearances for Tai Hauaruru in 1954 and 1955, in New Zealand Māori trials in 1956 and 1958 and for the New Zealand Maori team in 1955. He played 37 first-class matches overall.

He played for the New Zealand Māori team in 1955 on its internal tour, which included a win over Auckland.

After hanging up his boots, Puketapu had a distinguished life as a New Zealand public servant and Māori leader. He served as Secretary of Māori Affairs and was later chair of Te Ati Awa based in Waiwhetū.

Puketapu was also involved with he Wainuiomata Lions rugby league side as coach and later President. He coached that side to three national titles in the 1990s.

He passed away on 7 July 2023.

References

• Akers, Clive. New Zealand Rugby Register 1870-2015. New Zealand Rugby Museum, 2016
• Griffin, Don and Gallagher, Peter. True Blue. The First 100 Years of the Petone Rugby Football Club Incorporated. Apex Print, Petone 1985.
• Mulholland, Malcolm. Beneath the Māori Moon. An illustrated history of Māori Rugby. Huia Publishers, Wellington 2009.
• Rugby Weekly – various editions mid-1950s
• Veysey, Alex and Fox, Bob. Wellington’s Rugby History 1951-1979, Part 2. Tolan Printing Co, 1979.