Rōpata lives in Motueka, and is a skilled arbiter who has assisted with take between the Crown and iwi, local government, and iwi to iwi.

He is actively involved with his local marae, and holds various Trustee and Director roles within the local community including as Chair of Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust.

Rōpata is a graduate of Otago University and has previously worked in the education sector at secondary and tertiary level. He has been with Wakatū Incorporation since 2002, in roles spanning People, Culture and Manaaki.

Rōpata is a member of Ngā Uri and a descendant of the tūpuna determined by the Native Land Court 1892 as the original customary owners of the Nelson Tenths’ Reserves.