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.
In 1968, he joined Maori Volcanics Showband, touring the Pacific for six years.
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.