The group has a wide Polynesian background, with all of their members being from different countries. There is a total of 9 people in the band right now, including Opetaia and Olivia, also Mataia Foa'i, the youngest son of Opetaia, the percussionist composer from New Zealand, Tokelau and Tuvalu, Sulata Foai-Amiatu, a singer from Tokelau, Douglas Bernard, a percussionist, keyboardist and singer from Samoa, Joe Toomata, a electric guitarist and percussionist from Samoa, Neil Forrest, a bassist, flute player and percussionist from New Zealand, Etueni Pita, a dancer from Tokelau, Tuvalu and Cook Islands and Dave Kuresa, a dancer from Samoa.

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Te Vaka's music is claimed to be "traditionally influenced but definitely contemporary". The log drum is said to be a really important part of their sound, and to Opetaia, it represents the "infectious rhythm of the south seas".  Te Vaka's songs are mostly in the language of Tokelau, however in more recent albums, other languages such as Samoan and Tuvaluan are performed as well. Opetaia says that using the different languages is his way of keeping them alive. What inspired Opetaia to create Te Vaka was his multicultural upbringing, and that was a big part of what inspired the music that Te Vaka produces. Opetaia's musical background spans both the traditional and the diverse influences of contemporary pop culture.

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