His early years of childhood were spent on a farm in a small country community known as Tiniroto – Place of Many Lakes, which is 57 km west inland of Gisborne.
As a contemporary Māori artist, many things have influenced the vision of his Māori art and its future. Toihoukura and the tutors since he was a student there have played a major role in terms of his knowledge of all things Māori. These include whakapapa – geneology, tikanga – protocols, kapa haka – traditional performing arts, mōteatea – traditions performing arts, mōteatea – traditional chants and manaakitanga – hospitality.
These aspects of Maoridom guide him and his artforms into the future.
Exposure to a range of artists nationally and internationally has also been a great influence on him to work with a wide range of materials such as native timbers, metals, feathers, shells, fibre, clay and stone.
