Career
Henare was usually a hooker or a second-rower. An Otahuhu Leopards junior, Henare toured Great Britain in 1993 with the Junior Kiwis and he represented a New Zealand President"s XIII in 1996. Henare also toured with the New Zealand Māori rugby league team in 1995.
Henare played in the Lion Red Cup in 1995 for the Auckland Warriors colts side.
Early on in his career Henare attracted interest from the Wigan Warriors but eventually opted to remain in Auckland. National Rugby League Henare played for the Auckland Warriors, making their first grade squad in 1996.
He played in 22 games for the club, although a serious knee injury hampered his 1998 season. In 1999 Henare represented Auckland South in the National Provincial Competition.
Super League Henare moved to England, signing with Street Helens at the start of the 2000 season.
He was with the club for two years before moving to the Oldham Bears in 2002, initially on loan. Henare then moved to the Leigh Centurions at the start of 2003.