26 Facts About Jim Rukutai

Jim Rukutai played representative rugby league and coached New Zealand.

Jim Rukutai started his career playing rugby union and was part of George A Gillett's Goldfields team that defeated Auckland in 1906.

Jim Rukutai was working as a miner in Waihi at the time.

Jim Rukutai married Bella Rukutai who was a Maori welfare worker and fellow member of the Akarana Maori Association.

Jim Rukutai played for the City Rovers in the 1910 and 1911 Auckland Rugby League competition and toured Australia with the New Zealand Maori team.

Jim Rukutai first made the New Zealand side in 1911, alongside former Union teammate George Gillett.

Jim Rukutai only played a handful of matches in his first two season with City Rovers because he was away on tours for Auckland, and New Zealand several times.

Jim Rukutai was the first captain of the Manukau Magpies when they entered the Auckland Rugby League competition in 1912.

Jim Rukutai was living in Onehunga and was placed in the hospital at Point Chevalier in the isolation ward.

Jim Rukutai fell from a horse on 16 November 1913 and broke his leg just above the right ankle in Mangere.

Jim Rukutai toured Australia with New Zealand in 1911 and 1912 and his career continued after the War when he again toured Australia in 1919.

However, Jim Rukutai played in no Test matches as during this time New Zealand played matches against New South Wales and Queensland.

In 1923 Jim Rukutai requested to resume his playing career in the Mangere first junior team as a means to "coaching in a practical manner" however in the Auckland Rugby League Management Committee meeting on 13 June his request was denied.

In 1932 Jim Rukutai served on the Auckland Rugby League board as the Clubs' delegate.

Jim Rukutai then served as the first chairman of the New Zealand Maori Rugby League Board when it was formed in 1934.

Jim Rukutai coached New Zealand during their 1921 tour of Australia.

Jim Rukutai coached New Zealand Maori between 1922 and 1937.

Jim Rukutai was a key figure to urban Maori advocacy in Auckland, working as chairman and treasurer of the Akarana Maori Association.

Jim Rukutai advocated for welfare, housing, employment, fair pensions and against prejudice to Maori.

Jim Rukutai worked to uplight Maori youth and revitalise art and craft practices.

In 1935, Jim Rukutai presented a speech titled, 'The Maori and His Land Problems, Past and Present' to the Auckland Institute and Museum.

Jim Rukutai spoke about the impacts of Captain Cook, the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and conflict between Maori and Pakeha over land.

Jim Rukutai worked as an interpreter and legal advisor in the Supreme Court.

Jim Rukutai died at his daughter's residence in the Auckland suburb of Onehunga in 1940, aged 62.

Jim Rukutai's funeral took place at St James' in Mangere and was well attending by signigicant Maori and Pakeha community members.

Jim Rukutai was named one of the New Zealand Rugby League's Legends of League in 2008.