Rongotai College Old Boys’ Association President Joe Fiu steps

down from the role after three great years at the helm

Statement from the Rongotai College Old Boys’ Association Committee:

After serving as the President of the Old Boys’ Association since October 2020, Joe Fiu (2001-2005) has notified the Committee that he is stepping down from the role in the hopes of ushering in and supporting a new executive, as well as being able to give more time to focus on his family, businesses, and coaching the Rongotai College 1st XV Rugby team.

The Committee would like to thank Joe Fiu for his leadership and sacrifices over the past three years. Under his stewardship the Association has been able to make advancements in a number of areas. These include a keen focus on engagement as well as sustainable development of Association systems.

Some key milestones during Joe Fiu’s term as President include:

  • The successful transition from an Incorporated Society to a registered Charity

  • The inaugural Old Boys Golf Day at Shandon Golf Club

  • The rollout of the National Title Banner Release Project

  • Hosting a successful Inaugural Alumni Dinner that included a star-studded panel of Old Boys

  • The revival of the James Hunter Memorial Scholarship which was spearheaded by James's dear friend Jeremy Simpson

  • The inaugural Old Boys Games vs Wellington College where we had over 70 Old Boys come together across various sports to reminisce on past days and enjoy a fun sports day

  • Creating administration roles for the Association, successfully administered by Stephanie Kane and Maria Cordalis

  • The implementation of regular Chariot Newsletters and improving communication between the Association and our Alumni

  • The transition over to a new database

  • Beginning the process towards restructuring the Association to ensure sustainable operations and governance

As a result of Joe Fiu stepping down as President, the Committee has officially appointed Association Secretary, Jimmy Fiso (2016-2020), to fill the vacancy of President. In a statement talking about Joe Fiu’s decision to step down, Jimmy Fiso says that “The Association should be very grateful for the hard mahi that Joe has invested during his term as President”. He also spoke about Joe Fiu’s commitment to the Association, saying that he is,  “...extremely pleased that Joe Fiu has agreed to stay on as a General Member of the Committee until the Annual General Meeting later in the year. His willingness to continue to support the Association in any way he can is a testament to his character.”

In notifying the Committee of his decision, Joe Fiu said that he thinks that his decision to pass on the light “…is a step in the right direction and continues the Committee's goal towards a vibrant and forward-focused Association.” He also spoke of his excitement of taking on his new role on the Committee, whilst keeping an active presence within the wider Rongotai College community as a father to a current student and Head Coach of the 1st XV Rugby team.

The Committee once again thanks Joe Fiu for his service to the Association and his ongoing commitment to supporting the Rongotai College community.

 

John Fiso Appointed as Patron of the Rongotai College Old Boys' Association


We are pleased to announce that Mr Fiso John Fiso (ONZM) has been appointed as the new Patron of the Rongotai College Old Boys’ Association. In addition to his impressive career and community service, Mr Fiso has a deep connection to Rongotai College, having been a student in the late 1970s. Mr Fiso brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Association, and his appointment is a significant milestone in the history of the RCOBA.

Following a unanimous endorsement at last year’s Annual General Meeting, Mr Fiso was formally appointed as the new Patron of the Association at the first Committee meeting of 2023. Association President, Joe Fiu, says that
“the Committee are extremely excited to welcome John as the new Association Patron. John’s passion, charisma, community driven focus, and ability to bring people together made his appointment an easy decision”.

During his time as a student Mr Fiso was a school Prefect, gained Higher School Certificate and was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. He also contributed to the sporting life of the College during his time and was a member of the McEvedy Athletics team, the 1st XV Rugby team, the Rugby squad who toured Australia, and the Senior A Volleyball squad. He was also selected for the NZ men’s wider volleyball squad while at Rongotai College, alongside five other Rongotai College students in 1979.

 

His Headmaster, Mr Mackay, described John as
“a well-balanced young man … (who has) a fine blend of natural ability and all-round talent”.

On leaving Rongotai College as a student, Mr Fiso graduated with a diploma from Otago University’s School of Physical Education. He then went on to gain a diploma in teaching at Christchurch Teacher’s College in 1984, eventually returning to Rongotai College as a staff member from 1987-1989. During this period Mr Fiso taught physical education, economics, and was a Dean, before attaining a Post Graduate diploma in Teaching English as a second language from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990.

Mr Fiso has also has an impressive history as a Rongotai athlete, having been selected for the NZ Universities rugby league team for the student World Cup in 1986. He was also selected for the World universities rugby league team in 1996 and captained the Samoan universities to the World Cup in 1992. Additionally, Mr Fiso was selected to the NZ Under 20 volleyball team in 1981 and the New Zealand Universities volleyball team in the same year. Further, he played Hawke’s Bay B Rugby in 1986 and captained the Aotea rugby club, winners of the Hawke’s Bay premier competition in the same year.

Mr Fiso’s extensive sporting endeavours also include coaching and managing the Samoan Student Rugby League teams at two world cups, being Head of Delegation for all New Zealand indoor and beach volleyball teams to the Oceania games, serving on the Board of Volleyball New Zealand, and being a delegate to the World Congress.

Mr Fiso is perhaps most prominently known as the founder of the New Zealand Institute of Sport (NZIS), of which he was the CEO from 1996 to 2016. During this period he also served as the CEO of the New Zealand College of Massage. His innovative approaches to education, teaching and learning, and staff alignment to core values, put him at the forefront of developmental education.

Throughout his career, Mr Fiso has been the recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to business and community service, including being named Wellingtonian of the year in education in 2016 and being conferred as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the same year. He was a finalist for the EY business of the year award alongside XERO and My Food Bag and won the ANZ inaugural Pacific business award in 2017. In 2022, Mr Fiso was awarded the Legacy award recognising lifetime service to business and community at the Pacific Business Trust Awards. He also received the Sector Leadership award from NZAPEP for over 10 years of service as chairman, board member, and vice-chair. Recently, he was also honoured by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce as an inaugural honouree for his contributions to the Wellington community and business.

 Since stepping down as the CEO of NZIS and NZCM, John established the Fiso Group, aimed at supporting business initiatives in the hospitality, wellness, education, property, and health sectors. He has served as the Chairman of several boards including the Pacific Cooperation Foundation (MFAT), the Whitby Collegiate Proprietors Board, Pacific Health Plus, NZ Universities and Tertiary Students Rugby League Board, and the New Zealand Association Private Education Providers (now known as the Independent Tertiary Providers of NZ (ITENZ)).

Despite completing his time as a student at Rongotai College four decades ago, Mr Fiso has maintained a strong connection with the school. Most recently this has included being the major sponsor of the 1st XV Rugby team since 2015, instituting a traditional rugby fixture between the 1st XV Rugby team and Scots College (which included the donation of the Fiso-Meaclem Cup), hosting a dinner function to raise funds for Rongotai College amongst those within his cohort, and addressing the full school Assembly on three different occasions over the past 5 years.

The offer to be Patron of the RCOBA was made in recognition of John Fiso’s tireless commitment and generosity to the wider community and to the College. The Committee is very excited to draw upon his skills, knowledge and experience in a way that can uplift the Association, whilst providing Mr Fiso the opportunity to champion the Old Boys’ Association and Rongotai College.

We look forward to Mr Fiso's leadership as Patron of the Rongotai College Old Boys Association and his ongoing commitment to supporting the Rongotai College community.