William George (Bill) Kini

IWI: Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mahāki, Ngāti Māmoe

MARAE:

BIRTHPLACE: 1937 Winton

PASSED: Whangarei 2012 (75years)

BOXING, RUGBY

Biography | tuhinga koi ora

Bill was born to William George Kini (Bill) and Daphne Alberta Kini (nee Goodwillie)
Married Jan (nee Hankins) and they had 4 children – Brad, Jason, Ferne and Andre
Bill and Jan have 7 grandchildren

Educated at Southland Technical College

Kini and his family moved to Whangārei in 1980. He was the strapper and masseur for the Northland rugby team for 11 years until 2003.

2004 saw him become one of the inaugural inductees into the New Zealand Māori Sports Hall of Fame. He was awarded this legendary status alongside fellow Northlander Sid Going, and other Māori legends Pat Walsh, Mack Herewini, Waka Nathan, Manga Emery and the late George Nepia.

Kini died in Whangārei in 2012, as a result of complications from a cancerous tumour on his spine.

Achievements | tutukitanga

Boxing National
• NZ Heavyweight Champion -1959,61,62,63,64,65,66,67
• NZ Boxing Representative – 1960,61,62,66,67
• Australasian Titles – 1961,62,63,64,65,66,67

Boxing International
• 1962 British Empire Commonwealth Games, Perth – Silver Medal
• 1966 British Empire Commonwealth Games, Kingston – Gold Medal

Rugby
• Captain Auckland Māori Rugby Team
• Otahuhu Rugby (Prop) 4time Gallagher Shield winner – 1960,61,63,65

Masseur
• Northland Rugby Team Masseur 15 years, 1989 – 2003
• 1990 Commonwealth Games, Auckland Masseur NZ Boxers

Awards
• 2001 Sport Northland’s ‘Brian Maunsell Memorial Service to Sport’

Honours
• Inducted into the New Zealand Māori Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.