Born - 1955
Tribes - Ngati Porou, Te Whanau a Apanui, Nga Puhi and Ngati Pakeha.

Education - Educated at Te Aute College and Massey University.

Opted out of university to write poetry in the early seventies. Since then he has had three books of poetry published. Two books of shorts stories have been published nationally and internationally. He has also written a novel and several plays. Two of his plays, Kohanga and Whaea Kairau, have been published.

Theatre - In the late 1970s Apirana was one of the original founders of what is now known as Maori theatre. Working with Maori co-ops and helping to create an opening for over one hundred Maori actors, writers, directors and theatre practitioners.
Apirana has worked in theatres and acted since he was a child. He has been named as one of Wellingtons most promising debut actors.

Apirana is living in Paekakariki with his wife and four children.