Romeo Tevaga
Romeo brings extensive public service and community engagement experience, with a strong passion for working at the intersection of people, policy, and meaningful change.
Auckland born and raised, Romeo developed an early appreciation for the challenges faced by low-income households through his family’s humble beginnings. Encouraged by parents who valued education as a pathway out of hardship, he graduated from the University of Auckland with degrees in Law, Arts, and postgraduate Honours in Development Studies. During his studies, he led a community homework centre and worked in school outreach across regional New Zealand, strengthening his belief that opportunity should not be limited by geography or background.
Romeo later moved to Wellington to work in the public service across education, immigration, economic development, international cooperation and social development gaining broad experience in government policy and practice. In 2024, he moved to Australia for his OE, where he continued contributing to their public service by sharing expertise gained through his experience in the New Zealand Government.
Now back home, Romeo is committed to using his experience and skills to help build a New Zealand where people can thrive without needing to leave for greater opportunity or quality of life. His time overseas reinforced his belief that Aotearoa is uniquely placed to lead in creating a sustainable, equitable, and future-focused economy.
He believes many of Opportunity’s ideas are grounded in our shared cultural values shaped by te ao Māori - upholding individual mana, intergenerational responsibility, and the wellbeing of communities and the environment alongside economic progress. Romeo sees unlocking New Zealand’s full potential will be a world leading approach, but would require the right balance of economic, environmental, and political reform guided by these values.
Passionate about the moana and taiao, he enjoys spending time around the Hobsonville Point Coastal walkway, Luckens and Manuka Reserves. Protecting the mauri of the waterways and natural environment for future generations, he sees Upper Harbour as an example of how good urban planning and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.
As a son of a bus driver and mechanic, he is eager to advocate for improvements that will provide an accessible and seamlessly integrated transport system nationwide. A particular area of focus for his electorate will be reducing strain on transport networks by investing in infrastructure that better supports high-density development and connected communities.
Family remains central to Romeo’s life and values. As a proud Kiwi Samoan, he continues to draw on cultural wisdom in his commitment to lead through service to the collective that is us for a shared prosperous outcome. Outside politics, he enjoys boxfit, team sports, travelling, nature and coastal walks and occasionally busting out a few tunes at karaoke.
