It was not until a shift to the north island in the 1970s that Te Umuariki's family integrated into a multicultural community that shared a collection of different cultures and identities.
"It was then that I started to identify more with my own and have a desire to learn about our language and customs."
Now, the father of three daughters and 13 mokopuna is a long-term Kapiti Coaster, after shifting from Porirua 34 years ago and going on to do great things for Maori language and health in the community.
"Age 15 is where Te Reo began for me," said Te Umuariki, who went off to Hato Paora Maori Boys boarding school in Fielding, which ignited his desire to learn Te Reo.
Over the next 20 years, Te Umuariki was one of a few locals to found a community kapa haka group Whakaoho Ake, helping to fuel kapa haka on the coast.
In the meantime, throughout married life and fatherhood, he joined various night classes with Te Reo Maioha in Otaki, which used what he said was Te Ataarangis' rakau method.
"It also saw my two eldest daughters begin day classes in total immersion."
After that, he began learning to teach the rakau method, before becoming a teacher of adult immersion and gaining a Certificate in Adult Maori Immersion with Te Ataarangi.
"At that time, I also shared my passion for Te Reo, tikanga and kapa haka throughout various schools and kohanga in the Kapiti district."
His desire to promote Te Reo and tikanga was the beginning of community Maori language classes called Kiimai Maori, as well as his current division Te Ara Tipu Programmes, which he established as a hub to promote Maori and tikanga programmes within the community.
Between 2012 and 2014, Te Umuariki attended Otaki's Te Wananga o Raukawa, attaining a Bachelors Degree as a Pou Ora Kawa Oranga, which is a promoter of wellbeing for all people.
"It's like another expression of Te reo-a-tinana, a language in motion and, for me personally, it's an extension of Te Reo.
"When we actually do stand and proclaim Tihei Mauri Ora, we're in fact breathing the true essence of life and wellbeing itself."
Now, the dedicated gym man runs the public fitness and wellbeing classes twice a week, along with a women's six month Warrant of Fitness programme, which takes place three times a week at Paraparaumu's Mazengarb Sports Complex.
Along with remaining fit and healthy, Te Umuariki believed it was important to preserve Te Reo.
"It's an inherent taonga passed down from our tipuna and the future generations to come.
"The language itself and its many customs is a waka (vehicle) to carry forward the many narratives and teachings of our tipuna (ancestors).
"It's a blueprint from our ancestors as to not only how they did things in the past, but how we could do things in the future.
"It's our inherent right and our contribution to humanity."
He said within the language, there were many expressions of Maori ancestors reflecting how best to live, love and preserve the gift of life.
"I love to awaken every day and fulfil my higher purpose in life, which is manaaki tangata...he huarahi - nurture mankind... a way of life," he said.
"E kore koe e ngaro taku reo rangatira; lest you be lost, my noble language."
