Perenara, who played one test for the Kiwis in 2001, has been an NRL referee since 2011, after playing 72 first grade matches in the NRL for five clubs.
He is a cousin of All Blacks T J Perenara and Sonny Bill Williams.
Perenara has been diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, an abnormally fast heartbeat that causes shortness of breath, dizziness sweating or fainting, The Daily Telegraph reported.
He almost collapsed at training a week ago, Perenara told the newspaper. At times his heart raced to about 230 beats per minute.
