Taumata was brought to Australia as a 15-year-old to join the Brisbane Bronco's. He was sacked by the Broncos for disciplinary breaches and also spent time at the Sydney Roosters before making his first grade debut with the Bulldogs in Round 16 2008, against his former club the Roosters. The Bulldogs sacked Arana Taumata following an investigation into an incident at a Sydney hotel, which left another man with a broken jaw.
In 2009 he was recruited by the Storm, which had plans to to promote Taumata to a playmaking role. In early February however, Taumata was dismissed by the Storm after a "physical altercation" off-field, which was his fourth dismissal in four years.
Taumata got signed by the Tigers in 2010 but languished in reserve grade so he signed up with the Cowboys mid way through the season but got released at the end of the year. In 2011 the Panthers picked him up. Taumata was stood down from the Panthers' feeder club, Windsor Wolves, following allegations that a prescription script with his name on it was used to obtain Valium from a Parramatta pharmacy, a matter which became the subject of a police investigation. Penrith club doctor, David Abraham, told club officials that a prescription pad had been stolen from his desk. It is believed he received a telephone call yesterday from the pharmacy, explaining that someone had presented an unsigned prescription. It is understood the person had been told they were unable to obtain the medication as the document did not include a name. The person later returned with a prescription with ''Arana Taumata'' written on it. After the police investigations, Taumata was found guilty of stealing a prescription pad from the Panthers club doctor, and using it to attempt to buy Valium.
As a result, Taumata had to comply with an 18-month good behaviour bond. However, Panthers General Manager
Phil Gould offered Taumata a lifeline in the off-season and signed Taumata for another year.
Phil Gould said of Taumata's period with the Panthers, "At the time I feared he would kill himself or kill someone else the way he was living his life. That's why I stepped in to get him the help he needed. Thankfully I think those days are now well behind him. I have not heard from Arana for some time."
In 2013 Taumata left the Panthers Taumata played for the
Newtown Jets in 2014 before moving to Tumut in 2015. Taumata was removed as Captain Coach of Tumut after round 10 of the group 9 season for disciplinary reasons. Taumata had broken the clubs '3 strike policy' and was told his services were no longer required.
