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Macfarlane Alexander Herewini (Mac)
Student of Otahuhu College from 1954 - 1958 Mac Herewini was born in the central North Island town of Mokai, a small mill settlement north-east of Lake Taupo in 1940. His family moved to Auckland when Mac was seven and he went to Primary school at Papatoetoe West before Otahuhu College where he was in the Industrial Course and a member of Seddon House. For four of his years at the College Mac was in the 1st XV – an outstanding achievement.
In his early teens he was an apprentice jockey for two years. This career was cut short after an unfortunate accident when a savage horse reared, threw him and fell on him. He was very lucky to survive this. While still at school he was chosen to represent Auckland in 1958. Initially he played in the position of fullback and in 1960 he switched to the five eighths where he played most of his subsequent rugby. After leaving school Mac worked in the meat industry at Westfield works and later took up drain digging work. He eventually acquired his own machine, became his own boss and was very successful at it. He also owned a shop in the main street of Otahuhu next to the Gaiety Theatre. It was in 1960 that Mac really came to prominence. He was a key member of the strong Auckland Ranfurly Shield team, toured the Pacific Islands with the New Zealand Maoris, appeared for a New Zealand XV against the All Blacks on their return from South Africa and was awarded the Tom French Cup as the outstanding Maori player of the year. In 1963 he was again the recipient of that trophy. His All Black debut came in the third test against the 1962 Wallabies. In this game he made his mark in style, scoring a try and dropping a goal. When touring Britain with the 1963-64 All Blacks he appeared in 19 matches, playing at fullback in six of these games. He played in three of the five tests. He had a special talent as a kicker and was second to Don Clarke in the number of points scored on tour. He was called on again for the final test against the 1965 Springboks in Auckland which was won 20-3. The following year, 1966, he played in all four tests against the Lions on their tour of New Zealand and also in the NZRFU 75th jubilee test in 1967. Later that year he toured to Britain. His rugby career continued with Auckland until 1970 and with the New Zealand Maoris 1970-71. After retiring from playing, Mac coached the Manukau Club and served as a Northern Maori selector. The rugby tradition continued in the family with his son Mackie representing New Zealand in the Under 17’s and in the New Zealand Secondary Schools team. Mac also showed prowess as a young tennis player but other commitments prevented him from pursuing this sport to his full potential. In recent years he has become an active bowler spending much time at the Mt Richmond Bowling Club in Otahuhu. Mac has two children - Mackie and Gaylene and lives in Otahuhu with his wife, Rachael. |
