James Hunter (6 March 1879 – 4 December 1962) was a rugby union footballer who played for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks.

He then joined the Hawera Rugby Club and was selected to play for Taranaki in 1898 at the age of 18.

[4] He was selected for the final squad the tour the Northern Hemisphere, but was replaced by Dave Gallaher as captain and Billy Stead as vice-captain.

The second was when they played Oxford University, and the Morning Leader wrote "Hunter was the most destructive medium on attack and his personal tally was five tries.

"[9] Hunter did play in the All Blacks all five Tests on the tour, including the famous Match of the Century, a 3–0 loss to Wales.

[1] Hunter then played in all three Tests against the Anglo-Welsh team that toured New Zealand in 1908, and captained the second.