John Hopere Wharewiti Uru, sometimes known as Billy Uru, was a New Zealand sportsman and politician.
13 Facts About Hopere Uru
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2.
Hopere Uru represented Canterbury at both cricket and rugby union, and was an Independent Member of Parliament for Southern Maori.
3.
Hopere Uru married Rahera Muriwai Mutu in 1892; the couple subsequently divorced in 1915 and it is not thought that they had any children.
4.
Hopere Uru took nine wickets at an average of 11.33, and achieved best bowling figures of 5 for 43.
5.
Hopere Uru represented Canterbury at rugby union as a three-quarter in 1896, and was noted as a fine kicker.
6.
Hopere Uru was a member of the Kaiapoi Football Club, which later became the Tuahiwi Club, of which he was captain.
7.
Hopere Uru was noted as a wrestler, hammer thrower and caber tosser.
8.
Hopere Uru unsuccessfully stood for Parliament in the Southern Maori electorate against Tame Parata at the 1905,1908 and 1911 general elections.
9.
Finally, in the 1918 by-election precipitated by the death of sitting member Taare Parata, Hopere Uru was elected to Parliament, defeating Parata's brother Henare Parata, with a majority of 19 votes.
10.
Hopere Uru was an independent member, but tended to align himself with the Reform Party.
11.
Hopere Uru was re-elected at the 1919 general election and held the seat until his death from Bright's disease in Wellington on 29 November 1921.
12.
Hopere Uru's body was returned to Tuahiwi Pa, near Kaiapoi, for lying in state before burial.
13.
Hopere Uru was active in Ngai Tahu's political and legal fight for resources and land.