Henry Perenara

Henry Edward Perenara (born 16 June 1980 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby league referee and former professional player who represented his country. His position of choice is at Lock though he can also play in the Second Row. He is a brother of Marcus Perenara and a cousin of Sonny Bill Williams, and uncle of current Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara.

Attending Lynfield College, Perenara played for the New Lynn Stags and Bay Roskill Vikings and represented the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 1998.

In 1999, while under contract to the Warriors, Perenara played for Auckland North in the National Provincial Competition. He was part of the Glenora Bears side that dominated the Auckland Rugby League competition that year, winning the Roope Rooster, Ruataki Shield and Fox Memorial.

Perenara played for the Cronulla Sharks, St. George Illawarra Dragons, Melbourne Storm, Auckland Warriors and the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League competition.

Perenara retired as a player in 2007 to join the National Rugby League's referee cadet programme. He made his first grade referee debut in 2011.

He was to make his Test debut on 6 October however the scheduled Test between the New Zealand Kiwis and the Cook Islands was cancelled. Instead, Perenara's Test debut came on 29 October 2011 when he controlled the Four Nations match between England and Wales. He was named the 2011 New Zealand Rugby League's referee of the year. He is one of only four New Zealanders to play for his country and referee a test match.