He was an extremely talented rugby player, possessing great natural ability and skills as his record with Hawkes Bay and the Maori All Blacks is testimony. Hepa possessed an outgoing personality, a congenial smile and an impish look in his eye that endeared him to his many friends and associates.
I remember after the retirement of long-serving halfback Barry Neale, selector/coach Colin Le Quesne (The Fuhrer) said to me "I have solved the replacement halfback problem for the coming season". I asked "Who has come to town?' "No," he said, "there is a young boy playing second-five for Te Aute College who has all the natural ability and skills to do the job."
The Fuhrer organised a game pre-season with basically a Poverty Bay side at Waikare with Hepa playing at halfback. Speaking about the game to Hepa a few weeks ago, he said he had been really nervous about playing with all you "old buggers" as he had never played halfback before. And so began his successful years as halfback for Hawke's Bay. His success was an affirmation of the Fuhrer's vision and selectorial skills and Hepa's ability.
Whilst our Ranfurly Shield win was nearly 52 years ago and is ancient history… how we scored in that 6-0 win against Waikato in Hamilton on September 24, 1966, became part of the folklore of the team. It was a dreadful game because we were not playing well.
With about 15 minutes to go with the score 0-all we were awarded a scrum infringement penalty roughly midfield on the 25 yard mark. Maxie "The Rat" Loughlin, another wonderful bloke, said to me "Go for a penalty". I said to Hepa, "I will hold the ball in the scrum and you dive pass." The ball was held and Hepa in some panic said, "What do I do, what do I do?"
"Dive you b******* dive," I said.
He did, the Waikato flankers were tricked and judged to be offside. Ian Bishop kicked the penalty goal and broke the logjam. Hepa and Maxie then combined in a reverse passing move which saw Billy Davis score in the corner and we had won.
The Paewai family hold a prominent place in Hawke's Bay rugby's heritage. Hepa's uncle, Lui Paewai, played eight matches for the All Blacks during 1923 and '24 after making the team as a 17-year-old.
In addition to Hepa's 64 games for Hawkes Bay he was a Maori All Black. His sons, Nathan and Murdoch, were also Maori All Blacks and Magpies and Murdoch was also a New Zealand Colt and played 100 games for the Magpies.
Hepa's cousin, Mavis Mullins, is on the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union's board of directors. Both Hepa and Murdoch have been extensively involved in coaching at representative level and at the Havelock North club.
Hepa's daughter, Caryn, is a former Olympian and Black Sticks hockey representative. He was proud of the achievements of his five children.
Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to all family members and Kitty Johnson, his partner. Hepa will be sadly missed, but remembered with affection by all who knew him.