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Home / Rotorua Daily Post

Haka in Rotorua to commemorate rugby star Sean Wainui

Rotorua Daily Post
20 Oct, 2021 09:18 PM3 mins to read

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Sean Wainui has died at the age of 25. Photo / Getty Images

Sean Wainui has died at the age of 25. Photo / Getty Images

A haka has been organised to remember Māori All Black and Chiefs star Sean Wainui in Rotorua today.

Wainui, 25, was killed in a single-vehicle crash about 7.50am at McLaren Falls Park, near Tauranga, on Monday.

Organiser Murray Sturt said he wanted to play his part in honouring the "humble" Wainui.

He did not know how many people were set to attend, but he said a post on social media about the gathering had been shared more than 200 times.

"We are just here to pay homage to a man that gave us enlightenment on the television every time he played."

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The haka was also for those that wouldn't be able to attend the tangihanga in Gisborne due to event number restrictions at alert level 2.

"It's a celebration. Haka is an emotion. Some people don't cry, and some people don't mourn - but some people when they haka it is an emotional release." Sturt said.

People would meet at midday today at Te Manawa in the city's CBD.

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Almost $200,000 has been raised for his wife Paige and their children Kawariki and Arahia through a Givealittle page.

"Sean Wainui was an incredible rugby player, father, husband and proud of his Māori heritage," the Chiefs wrote on the fundraising page.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paige Wainui (@paiggefox)

"With the outpouring of love from the rugby world and fans both nationally and internationally, our club wanted to set up a way we can all contribute to Sean's family during this difficult time.

"Once a Chief, always a Chief," they said.

Discover more

New Zealand

'This pain is unbearable': Rousing haka for Sean Wainui's whānau as final journey to tangi begins

20 Oct 05:27 PM
Sport|rugby

'A lot of people are heartbroken': Whitelock urges ABs to speak out after Wainui's death

19 Oct 06:00 PM

Meanwhile, a group of friends and whānau have performed a rousing haka for the widow and children of Wainui as the rugby star began his final journey home for his tangi.

Wainui's heartbroken wife Paige held her children close as they witnessed the spine-tingling haka.

She shared the poignant tribute to her Instagram account.

"This pain is unbearable. Kei te hoki koe ki tō whenua taurikura my baby māku koe e arahi. I know your waiting for us. We're on our way to gizzy bringing you home now baby," she wrote in the caption.

The young couple had just recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary.

Paige watched the haka while holding on to the couple's two children, Kawariki and Arahia.

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Just a few months ago, a video of Wainui teaching his 8-month-old son Kawariki to do the haka went viral.

The couple had celebrated their first wedding anniversary just six weeks ago. At the time, Wainui posted a loving caption about life with his best friend Paige.

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