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Puti Tipene Watene

Puti Tipene Watene
Steve Watene.jpg
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Eastern Maori
In office
1963–1967
Preceded by Tiaki Omana
Succeeded by Paraone Reweti
Personal details
Born 18 August 1910
Kirikiri, Thames, New Zealand
Died 14 June 1967(1967-06-14) (aged 56)
Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand
Nationality New Zealand
Political party Labour
Spouse(s) Phyllis Watene
Children 12
Religion The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)
Playing information
Weight 90 kg (14 st 2 lb)
Position Fullback, Wing, Stand-off, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1929–35 City Rovers
1936–?? Manukau
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
19?? Auckland
1930–37 New Zealand 6 0 10 0 20
Source:
Playing information
Weight 90 kg (14 st 2 lb)
Position Fullback, Wing, Stand-off, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1929–35 City Rovers
1936–?? Manukau
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
19?? Auckland
1930–37 New Zealand 6 0 10 0 20
Source:

Puti Tipene (Steve) Watene (18 August 1910 – 14 June 1967), of Ngāti Maru and Te Arawa, was a New Zealand rugby league player and politician. He was the first Māori to captain the New Zealand league side and he is the only person to both represent the New Zealand Kiwis and become a Member of Parliament.

A strong member of the Mormon faith, Watene was born in Thames in 1910. He attended Thames High School, Opotiki District High School and then the Māori Agriculture College in the Hawkes Bay before he moved to Auckland where he worked as a labourer and a clerk.

In Auckland Watene joined the City rugby league club in the Auckland Rugby League competition and represented and captained Auckland, before joining the Manukau club as a foundation member in 1936. He was the club's captain and played a major role in attracting many other Māori players to the club. As a result, Manukau quickly became a force in the Auckland competition, winning both the Fox Memorial and Roope Rooster in their debut year. He also played for the New Zealand Māori rugby league team, leading them to a famous victory over Australia in 1937.

Watene was first selected for the New Zealand Kiwis while only 19 in 1930 and played for them until 1937. He also captained the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1936 and 1937, becoming the first Māori to do so.


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