Rate My Professor Sagato (Ziggy) Lesa

Sagato (Ziggy) Lesa is the Warden and Tautiaki of Selwyn College at the University of Otago, appointed to the role in 2024. He holds a degree in Physical Education from the University of Otago School of Physical Education and a Diploma of Secondary School Teaching from the College of Education. A Samoan-born individual raised in South Auckland, Lesa attended De La Salle College before working at the Inland Revenue Department with an internship, Pizza Hut, church organizations supporting youth, Te Hou Ora O Nga Whanau aiding at-risk young Māori, and as a youth pastor in Tauranga serving a predominantly Pākehā congregation.

Lesa began his association with the University of Otago in 1997 as an adult student after rejection from the University of Auckland. While pursuing his studies to become a secondary teacher and support his young family, he joined as a part-time Deputy Warden at Aquinas College, later transitioning to full-time student support. In 2002, he became Warden of Studholme College, leading for 18 years and nurturing a close-knit community of 185 residents from diverse New Zealand and international backgrounds, treating them like an extended Samoan family. He instilled values of being valued, loved, accepted, and accountable, with a focus on Pacific and Māori students comprising 35-40 percent of residents, many in health sciences foundation programmes. Lesa coached the women's rugby team, uniting novices from varied ethnicities into a supportive sisterhood. He served as Warden of Cumberland College from 2020, acting as senior warden during the COVID-19 pandemic when colleagues faced severe illnesses. After over 20 years in college leadership and a brief retirement in 2022, he returned to manage Selwyn College, living onsite. His wife Raewyn lectures in postgraduate studies at Otago, son Manaia attends the university, and other children grew up in college settings. A proud Otago alumnus and Highlanders fan, Lesa resides in Mosgiel with family.