Barrie Bates was born in the Auckland suburb of Royal Oak on 31 December 1935, the eldest child of Marjia (née Petrie) and Albert Bates. He attended Mount Albert Grammar School, but left secondary school aged 15 without qualifications.
Barrie Bates was born in the Auckland suburb of Royal Oak on 31 December 1935, as the eldest child of Marjia (née Petrie) and Albert Bates. He attended Mount Albert Grammar School but ceased formal education at the age of 15 without attaining a secondary school diploma.