In 1992, a fresh-faced OHS kid won the 3rd form (Year 9) speech competition with his comedic poke at his Tongan culture.

In 1993, he wrote his first stage play as part of the English Department's 4th Form Literature Showcase week - "Foberella".

These were the seeds that would put Jason Manumuá on track for a life in the Performing Arts.

Graduating from South Seas Film & Television School in 2001, majoring in Production & Directing, Jason has been involved in multiple NZ short films, television commercials, and web series as a Production Coordinator/Manager. Most notable being 'The Amazing Race' on their NZ leg in seasons 1 & 2 (2002-2004).

With a natural passion for young people, Jason combined this passion with the arts, launching BRING IT ON in 2003 (a popular high school Hip Hop Dance competition), and in 2006, he co-founded PHOENIX NZYP- a youth performing arts initiative to engage and empower teenagers from South & West Auckland. At its peak, Phoenix NZYP toured high schools from Auckland to Whangarei, supporting White Ribbon, with an anti-bullying/anti-domestic violence campaign. This included a tour to schools in Australia.

 In 2013, Jason became the first Pacific Islander selected for The Actor's Program.

Combining his culture with arts, Jason co-founded The Creative Kautaha (formerly known as The Tongan Creatives Collective - 2012). He co-wrote, directed and performed in their debut theatre production 'Tongan Morris Men' (2013, 2014) - a hit with local Pacific audiences. Jason continued as 'Banquo' in a sold-out season of the Black Friars Polynesian Shakespeare rendition of 'Macbeth' (2016). 

 These days Jason focuses on Pasifika stories, notably the 2023 NZ Television Awards Best Pasifika Drama series with Brutal Lives: Moúi Faingataá.

Currently, based at Nga Tohu o Uenuku (the Mangere Arts Centre) where the majority of his creative works can be found, Jason has become a mentor to emerging Pasifika Creatives looking to develop their own works for stage.