Justice Whata is from Ngati Pikiao and Ngati Tamateatutahi - Kawiti of Te Arawa. Justice Whata graduated from Auckland University in 1992 and was admitted to the bar in the same year, obtaining an LLB (Hons) in 1994. He commenced working with the Auckland firm of Simpson Grierson until 1993 when he took up a position in the general litigation team at Kensington Swan until 1995. He obtained an LLM (1st class) from the University of Cambridge, then took employment with Russell McVeagh from 1997-2001, becoming a partner in 2001. He specialised in resource management law and Maori issues. Justice Whata was appointed a High Court Judge on 1 March 2011, initially based at the Christchurch High Court. He is now based in Auckland.