Reupena Ngata was born in Tikitiki and was educated at Waiomatatini Native (later Māori) School and Manutahi Māori District High School. Ngata worked in contract fencing and scrubcutting. He was a full Corporal in the Regular Force of the Royal New Zealand Infantry for three years and was a Warrant Officer 2nd Class in the Territorial Army. Ngata worked for three years as a dairy farmer. From 1962-1995 he was involved in making surgical footwear (orthotics).
Biographical sources
- Phone conversation and correspondence from Reupena Ngata, 23 June and 7 Sept. 1998, and 7 July 2004.
Music
- Māori Action Songs. Wellington, N.Z.: Reed, 1960. Rpt. in 1964. Rpt. in 2003.
- Co-authored with Alan Armstrong.
Reviews
Māori Action Songs
- Rev. of Māori Action Songs, by Alan Armstrong and Reupena Ngata. Te Ao Hou 35 (1961): 55.