Iokapeta Magele-Suamasi

Iokapeta Magele-Suamasi (Dip.Design, MA AM (Hons) is passionate about supporting education and youth leadership in her community of Otara, where Hillary House is located.  She is a New Zealand born Samoan (Ōtara/Lufilufi/Satalo, Falealili) and is interested in sharing the story of Sir Edmund Hillary through education, arts, technology within the context of innovation and boldness by explorers in Moana Oceania.

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She is Manager of Learning and Outreach programming, Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery and leads a team of five artist art educators who design and deliver education and community programmes.

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In 2013 Iokapeta helped to develop the Outreach Programme. In 2016-2018 Creative New Zealand funded the ‘Visible Voices’ research project supporting Iokapeta and a research team to survey over 800 participants from Moana communities in Tāmaki Makaurau advocating for initiatives at Auckland Art Gallery. These include establishing a curator of Pacific Art of Pacific heritage, partnering with Lagi Maama consultancy to research the Pacific collection and fostering relationship with leaders in Pacific strategy and education.

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She is a member of NZ US Embassy Pacific Women Leaders programme, US/Germany based Impactmania Women of Impact programme, and is currently in training with RISE 2025 global professional development for indigenous women in coaching ICF certification.