Starting at local and regional level, Karaitiana’s governance skills were set in motion when she was President of Poverty Bay Netball and Gisborne Netball Centre before becoming President of Eastern Regional Netball and Chair of Zone 3 during the integration of franchises and netball centres.
She was elected to the NNZ Board in 1997, a position she held until retiring in 2005.
She also has a strong umpiring pedigree. Attaining her NNZ Umpire’s Badge in 1988, Karaitiana continued to officiate at national events, including the inaugural Coca-Cola Cup, NPC and age-group tournaments for the next 21 years. On retiring from blowing the whistle, Karaitiana became an umpire coach and Chair of the review panel of the NNZ Umpire’s Manual.
Karaitiana also has extensive experience on numerous boards and trusts at local, national and international level. Karaitiana is currently a lecturer of master’s students at the TWOA Campus in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) and runs a sole-trader consultancy and advisory business. Prior to becoming self-employed, she spent 23 years in print media.