Apiata was born in Mangakino, New Zealand.[7] His father is Maori and his mother is Pakeha.[8] His parents separated, and he has not had contact with his father for several years. His early childhood was spent at Waima in Northland before the family moved to Te Kaha when he was seven. He attended Te Whanau-a-Apanui Area School in Te Kaha, which he left at the age of 15.[3]