He grew up near Tauranga and at the age of seven began primary school at Otumoetai.
Serving in the Home Guard during World War Two, he continued his education at Auckland Training College, obtaining a BA in 1943 and an MA in 1945.
[2] He was awarded the Nuffield fellowship in humanities in 1952 and used the money to study at the University of Edinburgh.
[3] His thesis, The changing role of the leader in Maori society, was published by Blackwood and Janet Paul in 1967.
[2] Maharaia Winiata died suddenly at Tauranga, aged only 47, on 6 April 1960.