| Notes |
- A autobiography of Nigel as recorded by him for the Walkley Family Reunion 2009. See the publication "Walkley Family Reunion 2009".
I was born on 29/8/1975, in Auckland, New Zealand. My birth was not an easy one, as I was born with the condition called Spina Bifida, which left me paralyzed in the lower half of my body. My parents names are Jocelyn Heremaia and Pat Heremaia, and I have a sister Moringa Heremaia.
I went to primary school at Kaurilands primary school, just down the road from our house. When I finished there, I went to Glen Eden intermediate School, and from there went to Green Bay High School.
After High School, I decided to go to Poly tech, where I completed a certificate in recreation and coaching. Once I finish that, I then decided to go to Massy University, and there I completed a Bachelor of Business Studies degree in 2001, majoring in sport management and coaching.
Once I had finished university I decided to take a break, as I had not had a proper break from education since I started school in 1980.
In 2001, I got my first job working at Para Fed Auckland, archiving all their records from the early 1960s. This was a very difficult job, as the information was in many places.
After finishing at Para Fed Auckland, I took another break. I moved out of home and got myself a self contained 2 bedroom rental home in Glen Dene. I went on to work where I currently am now at the Laura Ferguson Trust. I work as a computer tutor teaching mainly people with head injuries computer skills. Although, this is not in the sporting field it is very rewarding.
As you can probably guess from my degree in sport management, I have always been interested in sport.
I started my sporting career when I was young where I competed in a multitude of sports, although my main sport at that time was swimming.
In 1991 I represented New Zealand in the Junior Paraplegic Games in Australia where I won a gold medal in the 100 metres back stroke, a silver in the wheelchair relay and a bronze in the 50 metres breaststroke.
I competed in several 10 kilometre road races and half-marathons in New Zealand, and in 1992 in Sydney competed in an International 10 kilometre Road Race where I competed with the best in the world, I completed the race in a personal best time.
On the 6th October 1992, I received the TRUST BANK AUCKLAND'S "Pursuit of Excellence Award" for representing Auckland in the National Paraplegic Games from 1990 to 1993 winning eight gold, three silver and four bronze medals in swimming, track and field events. I also held New Zealand records in backstroke and free style.
Unfortunately in 1994, my sporting career and life came to a bit of a stop, as I had to go into hospital, once again. This time I had an operation on my neck, as I had cysts forming which made my arms and fingers weak. The operation I had on my neck, was not very successful, and left me partially paralyzed in my upper body. This was a very traumatic time for me, as I was starting to lose my independence; I now not only had paralysis of my legs, but also partial paralysis in my upper limbs too.
So now that I had become a tetraplegic, I had to choose a different sporting pathway, and decided to try wheelchair rugby. Wheelchair rugby was a departure from what I was used to, as it was a team sport and I had always been involved in an individual sport. I now had to learn to work with others and not only think about myself. Although, I enjoyed playing wheelchair rugby, I was never really very good; however, I did have my moments of brilliance. I finished playing wheelchair rugby in 2005 and currently I am playing no sport.
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1975 - 2018 (43 years)
