Kiwi Fern Kath Wharton remembered as an exceptional sportswoman: a rugby league star treasured by her family

“Kath was a treasured part of our lives – someone whose presence and aroha held so many worlds together, young and old. Her sudden passing left behind a pain that cannot be described in words.

“Please keep Kath and her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.”

Widower Andrew Wharton said: “Words cannot express the grief we feel at the loss of my beloved Kath. She touched the lives of so many and worked tirelessly for our people, for our tamariki.”

Rugby League Northland said Wharton was a “beloved community figure” and took up a number of leadership roles and board positions after retiring from professional sport.

“Kath was a humble woman with a good spirit and a heart dedicated to her community. Her passing will leave a deep void in our rugby league family,” the team said.

“Kath was an exceptional athlete,” it said.

She represented New Zealand in the Rugby League World Cup in 2008 and 2013, playing for the Kiwi Ferns.

In 2013, she took a break from professional playing to focus on her non-league career and raising her family.

Wharton then played for Aotearoa on the Māori All Stars Wāhine team in 2019.

Later that year, Wharton made his debut for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL Women’s League.

The Warriors said of their former teammate: “Apart from her many achievements in rugby league, Kath was a genuine, kind and beautiful person with a big heart for her whānau, rugby league and the people of Northland.

“Our hearts go out to Kath’s husband, their children, friends and whānau at this difficult time.

“Moe mai rā e te māreikura (rest well, dear friend).”

Wharton first joined the Māngere East Hawks in 2001, playing for the Lady Hawks. The band said he “laid the foundations for an outstanding career.”

The club said: “Throughout her career, Kath has been a tireless supporter of youth development and increasing girls’ participation in rugby league.

“Her work in developing the girls game in the Northland and Hokianga regions has left a lasting mark on our sport, ensuring that girls rugby league is in a better place thanks to her contributions.”

Following her retirement, Wharton served as co-chair of the Sport Northland board, an appointed board member of Rugby League Northland, head coach of the Aotearoa Māori All Stars Wāhine and coach of the Hokianga Storm.

“(She) has been instrumental in the development of rugby league in Northland,” Rugby League Northland said.

Wharton worked for the health and wellbeing group Healthy Families NZ.

“Kath’s dedication and commitment have been instrumental in the success of the Healthy Families program,” the organization said.

“To Kath’s husband, their children, friends, whānau and the Northland community, Healthy Families New Zealand offers its condolences and sympathies at this difficult time.”

Wharton completed a Master of Science in Māori and Indigenous Leadership from the University of Canterbury in 2022.

“For most of my life, I saw no value in having a formal education and believed wholeheartedly that my smarts and life experience were superior to anything I would be willing to pay money to attend school,” Wharton said.

“Two years of hurting myself at Hardout. No holidays, sports activities or concerts. Instead, it was writing retreats, readings, and epic wānganga (discussions) with the most amazing people – a small sacrifice that would change the trajectory of my entire life,” she said of her studies.

“Surround yourself with true hustlers, paper-chasers, big dreamers who spend their time in Rāngi tuhaha (heaven).”

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter covering breaking news. Joined Herald as a Te Rito Cadet in 2022

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