David grew up in Māngere, South Auckland. He has a Master of Arts in Social Anthropology from Auckland University where he focused on Pacific culture and history. David has worked as a researcher for the MacMillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies (Canterbury University) and as a freelance writer. He has 23 years’ experience as a high school English and drama teacher in South Auckland.

In 2009, David’s rap club for disengaged students featured on Television New Zealand. In 2011, his play, Rock Bottom, was shortlisted in Playmarket’s Plays for the Young competition. In 2012, Little Island Press published David’s first book for teenagers ‒ We Are the Rock, a collection of profiles of achievers who have Niuean ancestry.

David has written over 50 books for young people and many of them have won awards. David also runs writing workshops across New Zealand and the Pacific and helps children and adults to write and publish their own books.