Buck Nin was born at Kaikohe. His father, Choung Nin, born in Canton, China, married Pare Hikanga Tatana, of Raukawa and Toarangatiira descent, defying Chinese tradition by marrying outside his culture. Buck Nin's influential teachers at Northland College were Selwyn Wilson and Kataraina Mataira, both pioneers in their field. By contrast, at Elam School of Fine Art, Auckland Buck felt marginalized and isolated from his own culture. He finished his academic training at Ilam School of Fine Arts, Christchurch where he felt more encouraged. Thereafter he taught for 30 years at Kawakawa and at Church College, Hamilton.

In the 1970s, Buck Nin went with his family to Hawaii and then to the University of Texas where he completed doctoral studies. On his return he and Rongo Wetere established Te Wananga o Aotearoa, an independent art education training project.

Buck Nin was a politically engaged artist, identifying in 1975 with Whina Cooper and the Hikoi marchers and with those involved in the 1977 Bastion Point protests . It is likely his banner painting were raised in protest at the momentous events that took place at that time.