John Taiaroa

Who was John Taiaroa?

John Grey "Jack" Taiaroa, of Ngāi Tahu descent, was an All Black half-back who played nine matches for the team in 1884—the warm-up in Wellington and all eight matches of the tour of New South Wales; New Zealand played and won all eight games. There were no test matches on the tour, as there was not yet an Australian national team, and would not be until 1903.

Born in Otakou, the son of Hori Kerei Taiaroa, a New Zealand Member of Parliament, Taiaroa played school-boy rugby for Otago Boys' High School and then for the Otago provincial side. He went on to set a national record in the long jump and represent Hawke's Bay in cricket during the 1890s.

In 1886 Taiaroa hit the headlines after signing his father's name on a promissory note. Despite a warrant being issued for his arrest, it was not served and the charges were later dropped.

He spent most of his working life as a lawyer in Hastings. He was accidentally drowned in Otago Harbour on 31 December 1907 and his body was recovered at Karitane beach two weeks later.