From 2013 to 2015, Apa starred as Kane Jenkins in the New Zealand prime-time soap opera Shortland Street. In 2015, he was cast as teenage Ethan Montgomery in the comedy-drama film A Dog's Purpose, which was released in 2017.
In 2016, Apa was cast as Archie Andrews in the CW drama series Riverdale after a four-month worldwide talent search.
Apa was involved in a minor car accident in Vancouver in September 2017, but was uninjured when the Passenger side of his car hit a light pole. The event was reportedly the result of Apa falling asleep at the wheel after a long shoot the previous night.
