Sam Lotu-Iiga
Encyclopedia
Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is the member of the New Zealand Parliament
for the Maungakiekie electorate
having been elected in the 2008 election
. Lotu-Iiga is the National Party
's only Pacific Island MP. Lotu-Iiga holds the Samoan high chiefly title of Peseta.
, and moved to New Zealand
as a child. He grew up in South Auckland, attending Mangere Central Primary School. He then attended Auckland Grammar School
and the University of Auckland
, where he earned an MCom(Hons) and a BCom/LLB.
While studying, Lotu-Iiga worked as an intern at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
, but declined an offer to continue after graduation, instead joining Russell McVeagh McKenzie Bartleet
in Auckland as a solicitor.
Lotu-Iiga travelled to Britain, where he worked for Bankers Trust
as a financial analyst. While in Britain he earned his MBA from Cambridge University (Queens College
). While at Cambridge Lotu-Iiga played rugby for the New Zealand Barbarians
.
Lotu-Iiga moved to Sydney
and became an executive consultant with Macquarie Bank.
in October 2007, in the Tamaki-Maungakiekie ward. In a surprise win, Lotu-Iiga became the first right-wing councillor for the area in twelve years. Aligned with Mayor John Banks, Lotu-Iiga was appointed Chairman of the City Development Committee on the Council.
In February 2008, Lotu-Iiga put his name forward for the National Party selection for the Maungakiekie electorate. That month, incumbent Labour Party
MP Mark Gosche
, who held a majority of over 6,000 votes, announced he would stand down from the seat that election. In April Lotu-Iiga defeated two other National Party nominees for the selection on the first ballot.
While the electoral boundaries for the area had changed, removing Otahuhu
, the new boundary included the new suburbs of Panmure
and Point England
, which were considered to heavily favour the Labour Party. Gosche's large majority meant that Maungakiekie was still considered a safe Labour seat.
Lotu-Iiga ran a high-profile campaign, capitalising on his high name recognition as a City Councillor, and heavily engaged in grass-roots campaigning, including door-knocking the electoral district. On election night, Lotu-Iiga beat Beaumont by a margin of 1,942 votes in what was one of the largest electoral swings in the country. Lotu-Iiga became one of three National Party candidates in the Auckland region to claim a seat from Labour, along with Nikki Kaye
in Auckland Central
and Paula Bennett
in Waitakere
. Lotu-Iiga is the Deputy-Chairperson of the Commerce Committee and member of the Finance and Expenditure Committee.
Lotu-Iiga faced some significant criticism for not resigning from his role as an Auckland City Councillor when he was elected as an MP. He missed a significant number of meetings during this time which made important decisions with regards to areas within the Tamaki-Maungakiekie Ward. He eventually resigned his council post in October 2009.
. He is on the board of One Tree Hill College (formerly Penrose High School).
Parliament of New Zealand
The Parliament of New Zealand consists of the Queen of New Zealand and the New Zealand House of Representatives and, until 1951, the New Zealand Legislative Council. The House of Representatives is often referred to as "Parliament".The House of Representatives usually consists of 120 Members of...
for the Maungakiekie electorate
Maungakiekie (New Zealand electorate)
Maungakiekie is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Maungakiekie is Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga of the National Party...
having been elected in the 2008 election
New Zealand general election, 2008
The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social...
. Lotu-Iiga is the National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
's only Pacific Island MP. Lotu-Iiga holds the Samoan high chiefly title of Peseta.
Early life
Lotu-Iiga was born in Apia, SamoaSamoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
, and moved to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
as a child. He grew up in South Auckland, attending Mangere Central Primary School. He then attended Auckland Grammar School
Auckland Grammar School
Auckland Grammar School is a state secondary school for years 9 to 13 boys in Auckland, New Zealand. It had a roll of 2,483 in 2008, including a number of boarders who live in nearby Tibbs' House, making it one of the largest schools in New Zealand...
and the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
, where he earned an MCom(Hons) and a BCom/LLB.
While studying, Lotu-Iiga worked as an intern at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the New Zealand Government ministry responsible for promoting New Zealand's interests in trade and international relations....
, but declined an offer to continue after graduation, instead joining Russell McVeagh McKenzie Bartleet
Russell McVeagh
Russell McVeagh is one of New Zealand's leading law firms. Along with Bell Gully and Chapman Tripp, it is considered to be one of the "big three" firms of New Zealand....
in Auckland as a solicitor.
Lotu-Iiga travelled to Britain, where he worked for Bankers Trust
Bankers Trust
Bankers Trust was an historic American banking organization. The bank merged with Alex. Brown & Sons before being acquired by Deutsche Bank in 1998.-History:A consortium of banks created Bankers Trust to perform trust company services for their clients....
as a financial analyst. While in Britain he earned his MBA from Cambridge University (Queens College
Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou , and refounded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville...
). While at Cambridge Lotu-Iiga played rugby for the New Zealand Barbarians
New Zealand Barbarians
The New Zealand Barbarians, nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", are an invitational rugby union team which have been a major part of New Zealand rugby since they were founded in 1937. They are based on the concept of Barbarian F.C...
.
Lotu-Iiga moved to Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and became an executive consultant with Macquarie Bank.
Political career
Lotu-Iiga stood on the Citizens & Ratepayers' ticket for a seat on the Auckland City CouncilAuckland City Council
Auckland City Council was the local government authority representing Auckland City, New Zealand, and was amalgamated into the Auckland Council on 1 November 2010. It was an elected body representing the 404,658 residents of the city...
in October 2007, in the Tamaki-Maungakiekie ward. In a surprise win, Lotu-Iiga became the first right-wing councillor for the area in twelve years. Aligned with Mayor John Banks, Lotu-Iiga was appointed Chairman of the City Development Committee on the Council.
In February 2008, Lotu-Iiga put his name forward for the National Party selection for the Maungakiekie electorate. That month, incumbent Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
MP Mark Gosche
Mark Gosche
Mark James Gosche is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. He was born in Auckland to Samoan parents, and has been active in New Zealand's Pacific Islander community.-Member of Parliament:...
, who held a majority of over 6,000 votes, announced he would stand down from the seat that election. In April Lotu-Iiga defeated two other National Party nominees for the selection on the first ballot.
While the electoral boundaries for the area had changed, removing Otahuhu
Otahuhu
Otahuhu is a suburb of Auckland. It is located to the southeast of the city centre, on a narrow isthmus between an arm of the Manukau Harbour to the west and the Tamaki River estuary to the east...
, the new boundary included the new suburbs of Panmure
Panmure, New Zealand
Panmure is a south-eastern suburb of Auckland City, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 11 kilometres southeast of the city centre, close to the western banks of the Tamaki River and the northern shore of the Panmure Basin...
and Point England
Point England, New Zealand
- to the north-east - to the east - to the south-east - to the south - to the north-west Glen Innes Wai O Taiki Bay Half Moon Bay Farm Cove Tamaki...
, which were considered to heavily favour the Labour Party. Gosche's large majority meant that Maungakiekie was still considered a safe Labour seat.
Lotu-Iiga ran a high-profile campaign, capitalising on his high name recognition as a City Councillor, and heavily engaged in grass-roots campaigning, including door-knocking the electoral district. On election night, Lotu-Iiga beat Beaumont by a margin of 1,942 votes in what was one of the largest electoral swings in the country. Lotu-Iiga became one of three National Party candidates in the Auckland region to claim a seat from Labour, along with Nikki Kaye
Nikki Kaye
Nicola Laura Kaye is the member of the New Zealand Parliament for the Auckland Central electorate, having defeated incumbent Labour MP Judith Tizard in the 2008 election.-Early life:...
in Auckland Central
Auckland Central
Auckland Central is a New Zealand electoral division returning one member to the New Zealand House of Representatives. Its current representative is Nikki Kaye, a member of the National Party; she has represented the seat since 2008....
and Paula Bennett
Paula Bennett
Paula Lee Bennett is a New Zealand politician and member of parliament for the National Party. She is a Cabinet minister with the roles of Minister for Social Development and Employment, Minister for Disability Issues and Minister of Youth Affairs.-Early life:Bennett was born in 1969 to Bob...
in Waitakere
Waitakere
Waitakere City was the name of a city which existed from 1989 until 2010 in the Auckland region. It was New Zealand's fifth largest city, with an annual growth of about 2%...
. Lotu-Iiga is the Deputy-Chairperson of the Commerce Committee and member of the Finance and Expenditure Committee.
Lotu-Iiga faced some significant criticism for not resigning from his role as an Auckland City Councillor when he was elected as an MP. He missed a significant number of meetings during this time which made important decisions with regards to areas within the Tamaki-Maungakiekie Ward. He eventually resigned his council post in October 2009.
Personal life
Lotu-Iiga lives with his wife Jules in OnehungaOnehunga
Onehunga is a suburb of Auckland City, New Zealand and the location of the Port of Onehunga, the city's small port on the Manukau Harbour. It is eight kilometres south of the city centre, close to the volcanic cone of One Tree Hill, Maungakiekie....
. He is on the board of One Tree Hill College (formerly Penrose High School).