[1] He stood for Parliament for the National Party in the Northern Maori electorate on several occasions: 1946, 1949, 1951, 1963, and the 1963 by-election.

Hēnare enrolled as a private in the Māori Battalion in 1940, training at Trenthham Military Camp.

In the 1966 Queen's Birthday Honours, Hēnare was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the Māori people.

[5] In the 1978 New Year Honours, he was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the community, especially Māori affairs.

[6] James was present for the landing of the historical Hawaiian voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa in Waitangi from its Rarotonga leg in December 1985 and the induction of its sailors as the 6th and most recent tribe of the Tai Tokerau.