Manu Maniapoto, New Zealand rugby union player, Died at 81

  Sports

Manukapua “Manu” Maniapoto was born on June 29, 1935, at Mokai, north of Taupo, and died on January 24, 2017.

He was a New Zealand rugby union player.

He was the first player to reach 100 games for Bay of Plenty.

He was of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Pikiao and Tuhourangi descent, Maniapoto was a member of the New Zealand Māori side from 1960 to 1966.

He played for both Tai Rāwhiti (1963–1965) and Northern (1967) in the Prince of Wales Cup.

He was the fourth son of Hema Maniapoto and Mamaeroa Maniapoto (née Hamiora), and the uncle of singer Moana Maniapoto.

Manu died in Rotorua.

Manu’s tangihanga was held at Waitetoko Marae at Te Rangiita, on the shores of Lake Taupo.

Manu Maniapoto passed away at 81 years old.