Born and raised in New Zealand, Iziq is a proud Polynesian boy and first-generation immigrant. He grew up in a big, loud, tight-knit family, rich in culture, faith, and full of love. His cousins were like siblings, and his uncles and aunties, second parents. Sport and self-expression weren’t just encouraged - they were a way of life. Every opportunity was a chance to honor his grandparents’ sacrifices and raise the bar for the next generation.

For most of his childhood, he felt fortunate - perhaps even unaware - of what it meant to be a minority. He was immersed in his culture, surrounded by family, and too busy enjoying life to think otherwise. But at twelve, everything shifted. The loss of his father set his life on a new course. When his mum took a job in the Middle East, a Polynesian boy from West Auckland suddenly found himself in the middle of the desert.

Life in a conservative Islamic country flipped his world upside down. He had to grow up fast. It wasn’t always easy, but it brought an unexpected blessing - his first true love, rugby. The game took him across Asia, where he played for his adopted home’s national team, then to stints in England and Scotland. On paper, he was on track to becoming a pro athlete, but deep down, he knew it was time to go home.

After seven years away, Iziq returned home to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing while continuing to chase his rugby dream. More than anything, this was his chance to reconnect - to ground himself in his roots, embrace the uniqueness of his Polynesian community, and soak up the unconditional love of family. He found himself in an environment where he could explore his heritage and appreciate the comfort of familiarity.

That path brought him to Melbourne and eventually to Tomorrow Man. Now, he’s proud to be “that brown face that walks in these spaces” where representation is rare - challenging stereotypes, redefining masculinity, and helping the next generation own exactly who they are. From small-town West Auckland to the world, Iziq holds close the responsibility of passing on these life tools through a Polynesian lens.

Outside of work, you’ll find him digging through SoundCloud and YouTube, curating the ultimate playlists, hunting down the best bánh mì and fried chicken spots, and embracing everything that makes him, unapologetically, who he is.