Tairea was born in the 1970s in Dunedin, New Zealand. He gained education in the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Australia.[1] Tairea completed his schooling at Tereora in the Cook Islands.[2] His first broadcasting experience was at age 11, on Teen Scene Radio for Radio Cook Islands.[2] His later work experience in the Cook Islands included with Telecom and the Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa.[1] In the Cook Islands he was part of the Taakoka Dance Troupe.[1]
In 2002 Tairea moved back to New Zealand and soon after started working for Radio 531PI, and helped establish Niu FM.[3][4] Tairea was a host and producer of Pacific Media Networks' Cook Islands Language Show for many years.[5][3] He was an advocate for young people to have an interest in Pasifika languages and supported quality broadcasting in language programmes and also mainstream media.[6]
Tairea also contributed to the Pasifika Festival for 20 years including as the Cook Islands village co-ordinator.[4][7]