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Tawera is one of New Zealand 's most successful professional athletes.

He made his name in the highly competitive world of rugby league, playing with South Auckland club Otahuhu before starting his professional career in England where he played with Castleford Tigers, Sheffield and Warrington . He later moved to Australia to join the Cronulla Sharks and then to the newly formed Melbourne Storm, where he was part of the 1999 premiership winning team.

A veteran of 19 tests for New Zealand as a forward, Tawera went on to captain the New Zealand Maori team at the rugby league world cup.

Following his retirement from professional sport, Tawera is committed to giving back to the communities that have given him so much. He was the top billed fighter at the 2002 Fight for Life, raising tens of thousands of dollars for suicide prevention.

As acknowledgment for his contributions Tawera has recently been appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Rugby League and the community.

On a personal level Tawera has suffered his fair share of tragedy; in 2001 he lost his first wife leaving him with a young family of two to raise.

In 2004 he had his right leg amputated due to complications from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. The traits that made Tawera into a sporting champion enabled him to fight back and makes him an inspiration to anyone who has suffered adversity in their lives. He is a living example of someone who refuses to quit no matter how hard he is hit. He's an excellent communicator, and people from all walks of life appreciate his down-to-earth presentation style.