[1] Ngātata was born in Taranaki in the late 18th century, the son of father Te Rangiwhētiki and mother Pakanga.
He was of Ngāi Te Whiti chiefly descent through his mother.
[citation needed] He married Whetowheto and had five children, one being Wi Tako Ngātata.
Later in life he had a second wife and they had a daughter named Meri Haratua.
Ngātata established Kumutoto Pā in present-day Wellington city alongside Pōmare.