IIiesa Tora

Iliesa Tora was born in the village of Tuatua, on the island of Koro in the Lomaiviti Group of Fiji. His family comes from the local chiefly family, known as the 'Tui Koro' or Chief of Koro.

Iliesa’s journalism career has been seen in a number of senior roles in Fiji and Tonga. He is a former Editor of the Fiji Sun, former News and Sports Editor at the Fiji Daily Post, former Sports Editor at the Fiji Times, former Editor at the Ko e Ita newspaper in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, former Editor of the Nuku'alofa Times in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. He has also worked as Communication/Information Officer - Tonga's Department of Environment and Press Secretary to the Prime Minister of Tonga - Hon Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni.

He joined RNZ as Senior Sports Journalist at RNZ Pacific in March 2023 and says he loves breaking stories on issues that are relevant for the Pacific and aims to be the best in the business. He loves meeting sports personalities from different sports backgrounds and travelling, especially networking with people and sports journalists across the Pacific and the globe and being involved in the community.

Iliesa enjoys playing sports such as touch rugby, rugby union, football, volleyball and spending time with family, and singing and playing guitar to relax.