Governance Team

John Fiso ONZM

John Fiso, also known as Fiso John Fiso, holds the chief's title bestowed upon him by his father’s village in Samoa. Based in Wellington, he is a prominent supporter of school sports, community initiatives, and Pacific and Māori communities. A graduate of Otago University and Victoria University, John holds qualifications in Teaching, Physical Education, Economics, and Linguistics. With a diverse background in Education, Health, Economic Development, and the Wellness sector, he actively engages in the Pacific community.

Recognised for his contributions, John was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 2016 for his services to Education, Sport, and the Pacific Community. He was also named Wellingtonian of the Year in the same year for his services to education and received the ANZ Pacific Business Awards in 2017. As the chairman of various boards, including the Independent Tertiary Providers of NZ and Pacific Education Private Providers, John is currently leading the Whitby Collegiate Proprietor’s Board, Pacific Health Plus, and the Fiso Investment Group. He has established the Fiso Investment Group, a private Pacific fund focusing on property development, health, education, hospitality, wellness, and imports/exports.

To’omata Api Fiso

Api boasts 36 years of leadership experience in both public and private sectors, operating at strategic and operational levels. His extensive background includes roles as an Inspector in the NZ Police, specialising in combatting organised and transnational crime, and serving as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst and National Bureau of Criminal Intelligence Manager.

Api's career expanded to Immigration NZ, where he established a new group managing New Zealand's borders and later became the Group Manager. With a 14-year tenure as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the New Zealand Institute of Sport and roles at FIG (Fiso Investment Group), Api has chaired high-level interagency government committees.

His involvement extends to the Pacific region, collaborating with Pacific governments and donor organisations on diverse initiatives and strategies for Pacific peoples in New Zealand. Api, a member of the Executive Alumni for APCSS, currently serves as Niue Government’s Strategic Adviser, leading projects such as constructing a new Parliament and managing a 3-year institutional strengthening and governance project for the Public Sector.

Simon Tyler

Simon's distinguished career spans leadership roles as Chief Executive of GSFA and NPF, followed by impactful advisory and governance positions. As an Independent Non-Executive Director at Heartland Bank Limited and Director at Palliser Estate Wines of Martinborough Limited, he chairs the IHC Investment Committee and serves on the Audit Committee of IHC.

Simon's influence extends as a Trustee for the University of Otago Foundation Trust and the Fale Malae Trust. He advises NZ Rugby Union, particularly in guiding the NZRU Investment Fund. His leadership at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, heading the Financial Market Department during the global financial crisis, and transforming NBNZ Treasury's performance highlights his versatile capabilities. Notably, his journey includes teaching Mathematics and Chemistry at Kings College Otahuhu Auckland.

John Sproat

With over 30 years of expertise in banking, finance law and capital markets, John Sproat spent 23 years as a partner at Chapman Tripp before retiring in 2014. His notable involvement in significant New Zealand corporate finance transactions demonstrates a deep understanding of corporate finance practices. A strategic and results-oriented leader, John's governance roles include directorships at NZ Post Limited and Kiwibank Limited, along with chairing the Investment Committee of Opepe Farm Trust. His impact extends to advising on the Reserve Bank Review and the Provincial Growth Fund’s Independent Advisory Panel. Beyond corporate roles, John serves as Chair of the Rangitane Settlement Negotiations Trust and holds board memberships. A UK and New Zealand citizen, John's legacy reflects his versatile leadership and profound contributions.

Shelley Addison

Initially from a secondary school background, Shelley was a Regional Sports Director at Sport Bay of Plenty before taking up the role of Deputy CE at the NZ Institute of Sport. Over the next 22 years, as part of the Fiso Group, she oversaw the growth of NZIS to a multi-campus, multi-level independent tertiary provider. She was the relationship manager with key compliance agencies such as NZQA and the Tertiary Education Commission, and oversaw collaborations with international tertiary providers.

Shelley also comes with a strong pedigree in sport, having represented NZ in Volleyball for over a decade as the national team captain. She then went on to coach the senior women’s team for several years, was the Vice-President of Volleyball NZ and a team leader to the Atlanta Olympics. Shelley has been inducted as a life member of Volleyball NZ in recognition of her services to the sport.

 
 

Meet the Team

  • John Fiso

    Founder / Director

  • Shelley Addison

    Director / Compliance / Operations

  • Rebecca Ama

    Chief of Staff / Project Management

  • Hillary Smith

    Brand / Design / Marketing / Communications / Project Management

  • Rachel Woods

    Chief Financial Officer

  • Grace Fiso

    Finance / Payroll Management