He was born at Kakahi, near Taumarunui and was educated at Kakahi Primary School. He left school in standard five. He studied for five years at night school at Auckland Technical College. He worked in an Auckland shoe factory and at the officers’ mess at Papakura. He later worked at Government House in Wellington. He worked for two years for the Ministry of Transport. In September 1973 he was appointed secretary of the Māori Council. He has been a member of Ngāti Poneke Young Māori Club.
Biographical sources
- "Peak of His Rise." Te Māori 5.4 (1973): 40-41.
Non-fiction
- "Cardinal McKeefry Mourned." Te Māori 5.6 (1973): 46-47.
- Taumata provides a description of the tangihanga of Cardinal Peter McKeefry at the Church of St Mary of the Angels, Wellington and gives a brief explanation of tangihanga in general.
- "Peak of His Rise." Te Māori 5.4 (1973): 40-41.
- A biographical account of Taumata on the occasion of his appointment as secretary of the Māori Council in September 1973.