Born in Milton, raised in Kaiapoi and Opotiki, and descended from these East Coast iwi: Rongowhakaata, Ngati 
Porou, Ngati Ruapani, Ngati Kahungunu. In Auckland, Zak studied graphic design at Unitec, and te reo Mâori and digital design at AUT.
A former NZ Herald graphic artist, Zak works as a lecturer in Digital Media at AUT, and continues to freelance in illustration, graphic design, animation and motion graphics, most recently for six seasons of the kids’ TV show, Miharo.
'My involvement in children's books came through my love of comic books – these are two mediums which use words and pictures in creative juxtaposition.'
In addition to illustrating comics and a range of books, Zak also created the design and artwork for New Zealand's International Children's Book Day 2007 poster.
Selected bibliography:
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Children of a Dying Nation: A Graphic Novel in 12 parts (Z. Waipara, published with the support of Creative New Zealand 1996).
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Turongo and Mahinarangi text by Queenie Rikihana Hyland (Reed 1999).
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Te Kapo the Taniwha text by Queenie Rikihana (Reed 1997).
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Kopuwai the Monster text by Queenie Rikihana Hyland (Reed 1998).
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The Creation text by Queenie Rikihana Hyland (Reed 1998).
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Morgan's Cool Cat text by Stephen Clover & Hine Rapana Clover (Reed 1998).
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Super-Morgan text by Stephen Clover & Hine Rapana Clover (Reed 1998).
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Q's course in Maori text by Quinton Hita (HarperCollins 2001).
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Horeta and the Waka text by Gordon Campbell (Scholastic 2007).
