[1] A product of New Zealand junior side Sydenham, David Vaealiki attended Linwood High School and became Canterbury's youngest ever representative when he made his début for the province aged just 17 years and 199 days in a match against the West Coast.

Vaealiki played six games for Parramatta in his debut season including the clubs preliminary final loss to Melbourne.

He joined the club for the 2005 Super League and his first appearance for Wigan Warriors on 30 January 2005 in a pre-season friendly against the London Broncos after starting the match from the bench.

He made his first start for the Wigan Warriors in their 15–4 win over the Salford City Reds in the Super League his last game was the semi-final against the Leeds Rhinos during October 2007.

[6] Vaealiki was released by Manly after round 7 of the NRL to enable him to take up the offer of a two-year contract with Top 14 French rugby union club, SC Albi.