Latoa was born in Niue Island and moved to New Zealand at the age of eight. He was 15 when was injured playing rugby collided, after which his sight deteriorated. A few years later, Latoa went on to represent New Zealand at the Arnhem 1980 Paralympic Games in the Netherlands – alongside his wife Tewai. Latoa competed in long jump, 100 metre sprint, shot put and javelin.
After his Paralympic experience, Latoa started working as a welfare officer for the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, becoming a social worker for the organisation. Since then he has been a true leader in disability development in the Pacific Region, providing support to blind Pacific Islanders, as well as Maori and ethnic minorities living in the central suburbs. In August 2015, Latoa received the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for service to the blind and Pacific community.
Latoa officially received his ‘numbered’ Paralympic pin as part of The Celebration Project in Auckland in February 2020.
