[1][2][3][4][5] Hokio in Manawatū is the place Winiata was born in 1935, he is affiliated with the Māori iwi Ngāti Raukawa.
His work establishing and revitalising Maori language for Ngāti Raukawa that saw there were no te reo Māori speakers under the age of 30 in 1975 within the tribe.
Dr. Winiata is recognised as the architect of the 25-year Whakatupuranga Rua Mano (Generation 2000) iwi development programme that birthed Te Wānanga o Raukawa based in Ōtaki.
[8][9]Hirini Moko Mead said of Winiata he is "a leading thinker of the Māori world, and of te ao Pākehā as well.
"[10]Winiata was founding President of the Māori Party to support co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples.