Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga to join MIT
28 July 2017
Manukau Institute of Technology is proud to announce the appointment of Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga as Deputy Chief Executive Pasifika, commencing 25 September.
“I am honoured to join the team here at MIT under Gus Gilmore’s strong leadership. It is exciting to be part of a team making a difference in the lives of students, their families and our wider community. This is done through the important work the team is doing through the students’ education, training and placement into great jobs!” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.
“We’re delighted to attract someone of Peseta Sam’s calibre to the role, which is focused on lifting the educational and employment outcomes for Pasifika students,” says chief executive Gus Gilmore.
“He has a very impressive background and skill-set that will help to make a difference. Over one third of our students are Pasifika – when they succeed, MIT succeeds.”
“Peseta Sam has a track record of success as an advocate for Pacific people, particularly Pacific youth. This, together with his strong links in South Auckland, nationally and internationally, make him an ideal appointment.”
Born in Samoa, Mr Lotu-Iiga moved to New Zealand as a child and grew up in South Auckland attending Mangere Central School and later Auckland Grammar School. He holds Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Commerce (Honours) and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Auckland. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Cambridge.
Career overview: 2008 – 2017 Member of Parliament for Maungakiekie, from 2014 held ministerial portfolios - Minister of Corrections, Minister of Local Government, Minister for Pacific Peoples, Minister for Ethnic Communities and Associate Minister of Health; 2007 - 2009 Auckland City Councillor (chair City Development Committee). Prior to entering public service Mr Lotu-Iiga was a commercial solicitor at Russell McVeagh, built a successful health sector advisory business, and was a financial analyst in Auckland, Sydney and London.
In his roles Mr Lotu-Iiga has worked closely with people at all levels across the professional, political, community and sporting spectrums. He is highly regarded and well-connected nationally, in Australia and with Asia-Pacific nations.
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