 He grew up in Mangere, South Auckland and attended Mangere Central Primary School.He then studied at Auckland Grammar School and the University of Auckland, where he earned an MCom(Hons) and a BCom/LLB.While studying, Lotu-Iiga worked as an intern at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, but declined an offer to continue after graduation, instead joining Russell McVeagh McKenzie Bartleet in Auckland as a solicitor.