With over 45 years involvement in all areas of the game, Tina Karaitiana brings a wealth of experience to her new role after being announced as the incoming Netball New Zealand (NNZ) President.
She takes over from Carole Maddix who has completed her four-year term.
From club to board representation, Gisborne’s Karaitiana has covered a lot of ground in a variety of roles during her long association with netball.
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.
On the coaching front, Karaitiana has coached a variety of levels, including the inaugural Fun Ferns initiative, age group and NPC.
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. These include Oceania delegate to World Netball (1999 - 2005), Sport & Recreation NZ (SPARC) Board (2004 - 2007), Community Lotteries (2010 - 16), Lottery Community Facilities and Lottery Significant Projects (2016 - 2022). Local organisations she has been involved with include the NZCT, Gisborne RAC (2015 – 22), Chelsea Hospital Trustee and being a MWWL member.
Karaitiana brings invaluable experience to her role as President and acknowledges the personal achievements she has achieved in netball have shaped the person she is today.
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.