Sam Pilisi is 2nd generation New Zealand born – Central Auckland raised with blood links to Niue (Avatele/Alofi Tokelau) and Samoa (Sato’alepai/Vailoa i Palauli). He has a BA (Social Sciences) MEdL (Hons) from AUT and Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Pacific Studies) from the University of Auckland.
He is currently serving roles within the following community organisations: 360 Tautua Trust Board; Atuhau Avatele NZ United and West Auckland Pacific Forum.
Sam has worked in the education sector for the past 15 years, with a key focus on mentoring and supporting Pacific youth aspirations into tertiary education and he is currently working in the Future Students space at AUT.