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SAIA LATU
FOUNDER/ CEO/ GENERAL MANAGER
As the visionary founder of TROW Group, Saia leads one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most innovative circular economy-driven enterprises, a business whose kaupapa at its core begins and ends in anchoring the strength of our people and the vitality of our land to a future where innovation, sustainability, and cultural integrity are inseparable. Drawing on two decades of experience, he bridges policy, enterprise, and community, turning high-level strategy into tangible outcomes for our people and Papatuanuku.
From humble beginnings, Saia stepped into life with resilience and a passionate kaupapa for possibility, driven not by privilege but by purpose. He forges his own path while opening doors for those too often unseen, transforming personal adversity, including the tragic loss of his brother, into a compass for kotahitanga. Drawing on two decades of experience, he bridges policy, enterprise, and community, turning high-level strategy into tangible outcomes for our people and Papatuanuku.
Under his leadership, TROW has pioneered large‑scale deconstruction and resource recovery, diverting thousands of tonnes of building materials from landfill and repurposing them into homes, schools, community facilities and opportunities for Māori and Pasifika communities across Aotearoa and the Pacific.
Grounded in manaakitanga and an ethos of people first, Saia’s leadership extends beyond business. He serves on many boards, including the Board of Eco Choice Aotearoa, contributing a Pasifika perspective to national conversations on sustainability and regenerative systems. His work has been recognised with numerous honours, including Pacific Business Trust Entrepreneur of the Year, excellence awards for innovation and community contribution, and runner-up for Kiwibank’s New Zealander of the Year.
Saia envisions a future where business is used as a tool to decolonise the waste system while restoring papatuanuku and creating pathways of autonomy and mana for Māori and Pasifika communities. For him, every building repurposed, every material salvaged, and every opportunity created is a step toward an equitable Aotearoa, where growth is measured in the strength and resilience of the people and whenua we leave behind.
Media
SCOOP: Winners Announced At Pacific Business Trust Awards 2020
November 16, 2020.
Celebrating the achievements of Pacific business and business leaders in Aotearoa, the awards shone a light on impact-led businesses bettering their communities. In a unique year, Pacific Business Trust acknowledged the hard work and sacrifice of the Pacific business community…
Our Auckland: Deconstruction: a blueprint for zero waste
October 06, 2020.
When Saia Latu was approached to help replace roofs damaged by cyclones in Tonga, he wasn’t sure where to begin.
He got the strong feeling that he could find a new way to rebuild communities without the traditional waste involved in a construction project. So, he started doing research on demolition…
TVNZ: Pop-up market to help Pasifika businesses hit by Covid-19 kicks off in West Auckland
October 04, 2020.
A groundbreaking vision to help Pasifika businesses and people hit hard by Covid-19 is about to kick off in Auckland.
Dozens of small and start-up businesses are being offered temporary free space at a venue which will feature a market and wraparound services for the community…
Stuff: From Piha to Tonga: One man's mission to put roofs over heads with demolition waste
Oct 02, 2020.
Saia Latu had been away from his homeland Tonga for 20 years when he suffered the tragic loss of his brother in a car accident. He returned to the Pacific to care for his elderly father and in his grief, realised he’d lost touch with his faith…
Newshub: Coronavirus: How former world discus champion Beatrice Faumuina is helping Pasifika businesses amid COVID-19 crisis
April 04, 2020.
Pasifika businesses are being severely impacted by COVID-19, but the Pacific Business Trust says they’ve been slow to ask for help.
A month ago, Saia Latu’s business – a deconstruction and salvaging business, owned and staffed by Pasifika – was in full swing…
Papa New Guinea Today: Tonga desperately needs money and building materials, 'not teddy bears'
March 01, 2018.
South Auckland builder Saia Latu hails from Tonga and flew over to help in the cyclone’s immediate aftermath.
Now back in New Zealand, Latu was coordinating containers of aid and teams of building experts to send to Tonga. He had already shipped two 40ft container loads of building materials, machinery, and furniture for schools since the cyclone…
Stuff: West Auckland locals Joe Vagana and Saia Latu make a difference
December 06, 2017.
Former Kiwi player Joe Vagana is part of a team taking on international construction giants with his company Trow Group.
The civil contracting and machinery hire company manages million dollar projects across the Auckland and Waikato region…
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