Former New Zealand rugby player Wairangi Koopu faces serious drug charges

Dane Wairangi Manurea Koopu, a former New Zealand rugby player and now a television personality, is facing drug charges after his name suppression lapsed. He is more famous by the name of Wairangi Koopu and has been charged with cocaine possession along with supplying a class A drug. The offenses carry a potential 14-year prison sentence under the New Zealand laws.

The charges were filed in October 2024 but Koopu had appealed against revealing his name which was accepted. His name suppression lapsed on Wednesday (March 19) afternoon.


Koopu was a part of the New Zealand Warriors team from 1999 to 2008, making over 150 appearances. He was part of the Warriors team that lost the 2002 NRL Grand Final to the Sydney Roosters. He played as an interchange player in that game. His usual position used to be in the second row, and in many games he was also fielded as a centre.

Koopu represented New Zealand at the international level too. He played for the Kiwis three times and for the New Zealand Māori team on four occasions.

In 2009, the Warriors released Koopu. He subsequently signed a one-year contract with the Melbourne Storm in Australia. Koopu was part of the Storm's 2009 NRL Grand Final winning team, a title later stripped due to salary cap violations.

After retirement, Koopu transitioned to a television career. He joined "The Crowd Goes Wild" as a presenter and reporter in 2021.

In February 2024, TVNZ launched the second season of "The Road to Te Matatini", hosted by Koopu. He also participated in the reality show "Celebrity Treasure Island" in 2024.