By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
The news of Norm Hewitt's passing at age 55 came as a shock to many. Hewitt, a man who transitioned from a violent era of rugby, recognized the damage caused by years of alcohol abuse and toxic environments, and was determined to change.
Hewitt’s All Black career included nine tests and 14 tour games over six seasons, although he often watched from the bench due to the presence of Sean Fitzpatrick, the world's best player in his position and All Black captain. This period spanned the transition from amateur to professional rugby, meaning tactical substitutions were not common until Hewitt’s final year as an All Black. After Fitzpatrick retired in 1997, Hewitt only enjoyed one tour's worth of test starts before Anton Oliver took over the starting hooker spot.
At the provincial level, Hewitt was a formidable player, wearing the jerseys of Hawke's Bay, Southland, and Wellington during a 13 year career that saw him play 296 first class games. Highlights included midweek tour wins over the British Lions and France for Hawke's Bay in consecutive years and an NPC title for Wellington in 2000. That memorable 34 29 victory over Canterbury at Lancaster Park, where Hewitt played through a broken arm, was perhaps his finest moment on the field.
Hewitt’s bravery could have defined him like the stoic, silent rugby heroes of New Zealand, but he openly shared his struggles through a series of public drunken incidents. In his 2001 autobiography, Gladiator, Hewitt revealed he had suffered abuse while boarding at Te Aute College and expressed his frustrations on and off the field, criticizing figures such as John Hart, Sean Fitzpatrick, and Jeff Wilson. While the book acknowledged his own failings, it also placed blame on others.
Hewitt’s abuse led to a cycle of bullying, alcohol abuse, and severe anger management problems, causing teammates to be wary of him after matches. His behavior resulted in being stripped of the Hawke's Bay captaincy and a very public incident in 1999 where he crashed through a motel window, leading to a tearful apology on national TV.
Remarkably, after retiring, Hewitt took responsibility for his actions and sought to make peace with himself. He embraced Te Ao Māori, despite initially feeling disconnected from it in his youth, and sought to help others on similar paths. He made a documentary exploring the experiences of South Auckland sex worker and LGBT advocate Mama Teri, far removed from his All Black days.
This transformation was further highlighted by his 2005 victory on Dancing With The Stars alongside professional dancer Carol Ann Hickmore, marking another step in his redemption. Hewitt became involved in youth work, drug and alcohol prevention, and even opened a free gym in his garage for community use.
Hewitt embodied the changing culture of New Zealand rugby, moving away from its brutal, alcohol soaked past to a more reflective and responsible present. His journey of learning and understanding mirrored NZ Rugby’s efforts to evolve over the last decade.
Unfortunately, Hewitt’s death adds to a growing list of former rugby and league players diagnosed and dying from Motor Neurone Disease, including his former Hawke's Bay teammate Jarrod Cunningham, who passed away in 2007 at just 38.
Hewitt leaves behind a legacy of positive change, moving beyond staunchness and alcohol to find himself as a man. His journey reflects the ongoing efforts of the sport he loved to improve and evolve.
