Kathleen Wharton plying for the New Zealand Maori Ferns in 2020. Photo: Photosport
A Warrior of a woman on and off the field, Kathleen Wharton has died at age 41.
Wharton represented the Kiwi Ferns 14 times between 2008-19, winning a World Cup, and played 3 NRLW matches in 2019 for the Warriors.
Wharton also managed Healthy Families Far North, where she dedicated herself to bettering the lives of local tamariki.
Husband Andrew paid tribute to his late wife on social media: "Words cannot express the grief we feel at the loss of my darling Kath. She touched so many lives and worked tirelessly for our people for our tamariki."
A colleague of Wharton's at HFFN, Talei Anderson, told RNZ that she was an incredibly strong woman who always had whānau at the forefront of everything she did.
"She was a leader, a protecter, she was all about Tino rangatiratanga, she was passionate, she was our big sister, our go-to lady and I can't even imagine what life is going to look like up here without her, it's really heartbreaking."
Anderson said youth and whānau were at the forefront of everything she did.
"She's inspired many lives, she's touched many hearts across Northland, she would go to the end and back to ensure we could do our mahi, she was just an amazing person.
She was always about giving our rangatahi and tamariki opportunities to thrive. It's a huge loss for everyone up here."
In a post to social media, the Warriors wrote: "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of NRLW Warrior Kath Wharton.
"Beyond her many achievements on the rugby league field, Kath was a genuine, kind and beautiful person with such a big heart for her whānau, rugby league and the people of Northland. Our heart goes out to Kath's husband, their children, friends and whānau during this difficult time. Moe mai rā e te māreikura."
Raniera Kaio of Te Runanga o Whaingaroa said she inspired youth through sport in the Far North from Kerikeri to Kāeo and Kaitaia.
"We will look up to see her bright star shining down on us and keep us navigating our way to future horizons. She left an indelible mark on a generation of young people."
Wharton retired from rugby league following the 2013 World Cup to concentrate on her work with troubled youth and to raise her family.
She returned in 2019 to join the newly formed Warriors women.
"Watching it last year I was thinking 'hmmm - I wonder if I'd still be up to it?'" she said at the time.
Her social media has been flooded with tributes for the former international.
One wrote: "A special soul taken too soon."
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