Anaru has whakapapa to Waikato, Ngāti Whāwhākia, Ngāti Hikairo and China. Born in Auckland, he was raised in Wellington before attending boarding school at Te Aute College. Following school he commenced a trades career in roofing. Over the years he moved into banking and then landscape design before pursuing his passion in health.

Through the Healthy Families platform, with an emphasis on systems change, innovation and disruption, Anaru saw potential to focus on improving health outcomes for Māori, where Māori are empowered as drivers of change and designing their own futures. Anaru is inspired by kaumatua, kuia and tohunga who have, through lived experience, gained wisdom and knowledge, and seen some radical change in their lifetime. He says they are crucial to taonga tuku iho, intergenerational knowledge and equity.