Raised in Auckland, he was initially schooled at Massey High School but later attended Kelston Boys' High School and helped its team reach the semi-finals of their 1A competition in 2010.[4]
Cowley-Tuioti first played provincial level rugby in New Zealand in 2014, turning out 5 times for North Harbour. He became a regular starter the following year, playing 10 times and then played a significant role in Harbour's successful 2016 campaign which saw them promoted from the Championship to the Premiership for 2017. Cowley-Tuioti played in all 12 games during the season, 11 of them from the start, and scored 1 try.[2]
After just a season and a half's experience at national provincial championship level, Cowley-Tuioti was named in the Blues squad ahead of the 2016 Super Rugby season.[3] The step up proved a tough one and he could only muster a solitary appearance from the replacements bench against the Brumbies during his debut campaign at that level. Despite this, his continued good form at domestic level with North Harbour ensured that Blues coach Tana Umaga retained him in his squad for 2017.[5]
