Beloved All Blacks hero and reality TV star Norm Hewitt dies, aged 55

Former All Blacks hooker and Dancing With The Stars winner Norm Hewitt has died, aged 55.

Hewitt died after a battle with motor neurone disease.

He made 23 appearances for the All Blacks and a staggering 296 representative matches during a 13-year career.

Hewitt’s family confirmed he died surrounded by family.

“It is with great sadness that the death of Norm Hewitt is recorded today,” they said in a statement.

“Husband to Arlene, and father to his beloved children Elizabeth and Alexander, the former All Black and NZ Māori, Hurricanes and Wellington rugby captain passed away, in the company of his immediate family, in the early hours of this morning. Norm had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

“Norm’s funeral arrangements are private and his family similarly ask for their privacy at this difficult time, so that that they might properly grieve their husband, father, son and brother.”

Hewitt wrote himself into rugby folklore after an intense standoff with England’s Richard Cockerill during a pre-match haka in 1997.

“It was like there were only two people on that field,” Hewitt said at the time.

“At one point I thought to myself ‘if I had a patu (Maori club) I would have cut his head off’ and I was going into that place. I don’t know why... it was a big game and we were going to war and he’s my enemy, kill or be killed scenario.

“I likened it to that and yeah, I suppose it is now part of that folklore much like when the Irish stepped over the line with Buck Shelford.”

After retiring from rugby, Hewitt stayed in the public eye by appearing on the first New Zealand series of Dancing With The Stars in 2005.

Already a fan favourite, he won over the hearts of many more Kiwis as he won the competition alongside professional dancer Carol-Ann Hickmore.

In 1999, Hewitt broke down when making a public apology for a drunken incident in Queenstown. He turned away from alcohol and helped others through similar issues.

Hewitt was also heavily involved in violence prevention initiatives.

Tributes quickly came pouring in for the much-loved figure.

“We are saddened by the loss of All Black #938 Norm Hewitt who passed away yesterday in Wellington. Hewitt played 9 Tests and 14 Games between 1993 and 1998. Our thoughts are with Norm’s family and loved ones at this time,” the All Blacks said.

“RIP Norm Hewitt. Not a lot of people know how kind & generous this man was. A truly wonderful person. Reached out to me and helped me considerably a long time ago when things were very rough. Love & respect,” podcaster Martin Devlin said.

“This is bloody sad. A sad way to lose a kiwi icon so young. He had a really rough childhood and upbringing and faced it and turned his life around to become not only a rugby legend but also helped others who’d been through similar issues,” Richard Hills said.