Teka was a member of the Maori Volcanics Showband before having a successful solo career.
His parents were both musicians, and he learnt to play the guitar and saxophone at a young age.
In 1959, Teka, Jonny Nicol, and Mat Tenana joined the Royal Samoans and Maoris.
The band was later renamed Prince Tui Latui & The Maori Troubadours.
Before his death in 1985, he was in the West German TV series Jack Holborn and starred in New Zealand films Came a Hot Friday and Savage Islands.