After suffering a severe brain injury during a school rugby game, 16-year-old Semisi Naiqara’s life support was turned off and his family was told to be ready to say goodbye.
But nearly a year later, he walked out of treatment and is getting ready to return to school next year, in what those who cared for him described as a “miracle”.
On September 5, 2024, Semisi was playing for the prestigious Wesley College 1st XV when he took a bad head knock and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
The “gentle” young man, described as an “absolute charmer” with a “beautiful faith” by those who know him, was a talented and respected member of the team. Alongside rugby, Semisi was a brilliant student with a passion for maths and economics.
His doctors said they had never seen such a bad brain scan before and told his family that chances were he “wasn’t going to make it”, said Lisa Kingi-Bon, chief executive of NZ Rugby Foundation.
“After much deliberation and much pain with the family and their support networks, the doctors had advised that the sensible thing to do would be to end his life support,” said Kingi-Bon.
Her organisation is dedicated to helping seriously injured rugby players and she spoke to 1News on behalf of Semisi and his family.
‘Keep breathing’
Semisi was placed into palliative care and his family was given a bleak prognosis.
“As the life support came off, his older brother just kept saying, ‘Little Bro, keep breathing, keep breathing, keep breathing,” Kingi-Bon said.
Two days later, Semisi was still breathing – a shock and delight to everyone around him.
“I’ve got very clear memory of a number of the surgeons literally just putting their hands up and saying, ‘we don’t know what this kid is doing, but he’s literally leading his own way’,” Kingi-Bon said.
The injury meant the 16-year-old was unable to walk or talk, but he kept fighting to stay alive.
Semisi underwent some major surgeries, including one lasting nine hours, where a piece of his skull was cut off to ease pressure on the brain.
Against all odds, on October 21 – six weeks after the injury, the teen was transferred from Auckland Hospital to an acute brain injury facility in Rānui.
When he arrived, Semisi needed two or three people to assist him with basic tasks like showering.
And then on July 22 this year, after months of treatment and physical therapy, Kingi-Bon said he “walked out”.
She described him as a “miracle boy”.
“I don’t use that word lightly,” she said. “We always take a lead from our proper medical professionals, but this is just one of those amazing times when he just wasn’t ready to go.”
Semisi still has some residual weakness on his left side, and no short-term memory – still needing a team to help with his treatment and care.
But he has started a whole new journey and continues to make strides in his treatment. He managed to make it for the school rugby team’s photo, properly kitted out in his number ones.
He even made it to the school ball.
“We hired like this flash-as tux for him, and albeit that he only lasted two or three hours that doesn’t matter, he was there,” Kingi-Bon said.
Semisi spent 2025 putting all his energy into treatment, but his and his supporters’ goal is to get him back to school to finish year 13 in 2026.
For now, the goal for Semisi is to take things “day by day”.
Family never left his side
Kingi-Bon has nothing but praise for Semisi’s “beautiful” family, who never left his side.
“There was a mattress on the floor beside his bed, and two of his family were there at all times,” she said.
The Rugby Foundation paid for an apartment where the rest of his family stayed so they wouldn’t have to drive an hour to and from the hospital every day.
She said his “beautiful” mum and “humble” dad stayed with him every day.
“You know that expression, you come with nothing, you leave with nothing. Semisi’s family has been a beautiful reminder to me of what values really are.”
She also praised Semisi’s local rugby community, Counties Manukau, his church and the Wesley College whānau.
A givealittle page was set up by the school, and its principal, several of his teachers and many of the boys have constantly visited.
“They’re just beautiful,” Kingi-Bon said.
Semisi’s parents said on Givealittle: “It gives us so much strength to see how many people are standing behind him.
“With the right care and continued support from the community, we are hopeful Semisi will continue to make steady and encouraging progress.”