All Blacks hooker Norm Hewitt walks from the field after the All Blacks v England match on 6 December 1997. Photo: Photosport / Andrew Cornaga
Former All Blacks hooker, advocate for troubled youth and Dancing with the Stars winner Norm Hewitt has died, aged 55.
A statement from his family said Hewitt, who had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, died overnight.
The combative rugby player was involved in some high-profile incidents involving alcohol off the field, but later became a mentor to troubled youth and advocated for a number of agencies and charities.
"Although rugby dominated his early life, he established a thriving human relations consultancy after retirement, and his services were much in demand both nationally and internationally," his family said.
"He walked confidently in both Māori and Pākehā worlds and was a particular role model for troubled youth, citing his own background, and offering inspirational teachings that one's present life need not be one's future."
He was husband to Arlene and father to Elizabeth and Alexander.
Hewitt played for the All Blacks from 1993 to 1998 in 14 matches, nine of which were tests.
He was a stalwart of Hawke's Bay, Hurricanes and New Zealand Māori rugby, captaining all three, and also had a notable stint with Southland.
He won the first season of Dancing with the Stars in 2005. He and dance partner Carol-Ann Hickmore were a crowd favourite from early on, and even included a version of the haka in their winning dance.
Norm Hewitt leads the haka for the All Blacks before their game against the Boland XV at Esselen Park, Worcester, South Africa in 1996. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
He played initially during the Sean Fitzpatrick era of the All Blacks, which limited his number of appearances.
In a post to social media, the All Blacks said they were "saddened by the loss of All Black #938 Norm Hewitt who passed away yesterday in Wellington".
"Our thoughts are with Norm's family and loved ones at this time."
A dynamic player on the field, he and England hooker Richard Cockerill memorably confronted each other face-to-face after the All Blacks haka before their 1997 test.
But his off-field incidents included breaking into a Queenstown hotel room while drunk in 1999. He issued a tearful apology, and as a result began to deal with his drinking problem, which in turn led to him being a public speaker and mentor to youth.
He was an anti-violence spokesperson and a leading figure in charity work, including being an ambassador for Outward Bound and an advocate for the SPCA.
His biography Gladiator, written by Michael Laws, sold more than 35,000 copies.
The family said Hewitt's funeral arrangements were private and they asked for privacy so they could properly grieve.
