Hurricanes Mourn the Loss of Mereana Muriwai After Brave Battle with Cancer

The Hurricanes rugby community is grieving the loss of Mereana Muriwai, the 21-year-old wife of halfback Nui Muriwai, who passed away after a courageous fight against a rare and aggressive cancer.

Mereana was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcaemic type (SCCOHT), a rare form of ovarian cancer that affects only one in 10 million women worldwide. The news of her passing has devastated her whānau at the Hurricanes, with the team expressing their heartfelt condolences online.

“Although we know you will still watch over Nui from above, please know we will continue to watch over him here,” the post read, offering support to Nui during this difficult time.

At Mereana’s funeral, her husband shared how her strength and resilience had transformed his outlook on life. He spoke movingly about how she inspired him before rugby matches, saying, “When I was nervous or afraid before games, I would remind myself: your missus has cancer, and she’s fighting for her life. I can’t even play a game without fear. Stop being a little B. I. T. C. H.”

He also expressed gratitude for the joy Mereana brought to his life and how her spirit lifted everyone she encountered. “Mereana, I’ll never forget you, and you’ll always have a special place in my heart.”

Wellington Rugby praised Mereana as a loving and fiercely supportive woman, whose warmth touched all who knew her. “Our deepest aroha goes out to Nui, the whānau, and all who loved Mereana,” they said in their tribute.

A funeral announcement further highlighted Mereana’s legacy: “She leaves behind her loving husband and family, who will carry on her legacy with the love and strength she inspired in all of them.”

Mereana’s death came after a long battle that included rounds of chemotherapy, surgeries, radiation, and immunotherapy. A fundraising campaign raised nearly $85,000 to help with her treatment, with heartfelt tributes flooding in from friends and family.

One mourner described Mereana as "the embodiment of the color yellow,” noting how she always brought joy and laughter to those around her, leaving an indelible mark on everyone she met.

Mereana Muriwai’s funeral took place this morning in Hamilton, where family, friends, and the rugby community gathered to honor her life.