An educator, a competitor and a cult personality, there is truly no one like Sala Tiatia. The native New Zealander has become an emblem of all the country’s core principles of compassion, respect and integrity. Tiatia first made a name for himself on the hit TV show Survivor NZ: Nicaragua in which contestants attempted to endure the trials and tribulations of life on a desert island. Although the premise of the show would be some people’s worst nightmare, Tiatia rose to the challenge magnificently and immediately became a clear audience favorite. Tiatia’s natural athleticism, tireless determination and earnest desire to get the best possible outcome for himself and his teammates solidified his reputation as a true sportsman. Fans were left shocked and dismayed when Tiatia made an earlier exit than expected after being voted out of the show by his fellow cast members.

Tiatia’s natural affability has served him well throughout his life. Before appearing on the reality television show, Tiatia worked as a youth worker and educator. Immensely fulfilled by his work in changing the lives of young New Zealanders, Tiatia returned to his day job. However, Tiatia has been able to converge his newfound fame with his true passion advocating for issues affecting the youth by using his platform. Moreover, Tiatia has become an acclaimed speaker with his visits to schools across New Zealand and TED talks whilst working as a guidance counselor. Clearly Tiatia’s sense of compassion acts as his compass, helping him navigate life.