John (ONZM) is an accomplished leader with a career spanning sport, education, health, and community development. He founded the New Zealand Institute of Sport and has held roles on several boards, including as Chairman of the Independent Tertiary Education Providers of New Zealand and Volleyball New Zealand. He has also served as Chairman and Patron of the NZ University Rugby League and the Pacific Business Trust Board. In addition, he has been Chairman of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation, Chaired the Pacific Island Tertiary Providers of NZ, and sat on the Board of AKO Aotearoa (National Centre for Teaching and Learning).

John has been awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for contributions to sport, education and the Pacific community, and earned the title of Wellingtonian of the Year in 2016 for services to education. He has also been recognised by the Ministry of Pacific Peoples and PBT with a Lifelong Legacy Award in 2023.

John is passionate about the intersection of health, sport, and community well-being. As Chairman of Pacific Health Plus, Chairman of Whitby Collegiate, and currently serving on the Board of Independent Schools NZ, as well as being appointed to the establishment board of Charter Schools, he champions improved healthcare access for underserved communities.

John holds a high chief’s title from the village of Vaituumuli of Fiso and is also known as Fiso John Fiso.