From officiating on the netball court to helping shape the governance of one of Aotearoa’s most popular sports, Tina Karaitiana has built a remarkable career spanning sport, leadership, education and community service.
Karaitiana joins broadcaster Dale Husband for a special live, longform and unedited interview, sharing her slice of life and reflecting on the experiences, challenges and opportunities that have shaped her journey.
Her involvement in netball began at the grassroots level, where she developed a strong reputation for leadership and administration.
She served as President of Poverty Bay Netball and the Gisborne Netball Centre before progressing to become President of Eastern Regional Netball.
Karaitiana subsequently became Chair of Zone 3 during a significant period of change, when netball franchises and regional centres were being integrated into a new organisational structure.
Her governance experience led to her election to the Netball New Zealand Board in 1997, where she served for eight years before retiring in 2005.
Throughout that period, Karaitiana contributed to the administration and development of netball at a national level, bringing experience gained through regional and community sporting organisations.
However, her contribution to the game extended well beyond the boardroom.
Karaitiana also established an impressive reputation as a netball umpire, earning her Netball New Zealand Umpire’s Badge in 1988.
Over the following 21 years, she officiated at major national competitions, including the inaugural Coca-Cola Cup, the National Provincial Championships and age-group tournaments.
Her experience on the court provided another perspective on the sport, combining a detailed understanding of the rules with the pressures and responsibilities of officiating at competitive levels.
When she eventually retired from umpiring, Karaitiana continued contributing to the development of the game through coaching and mentoring other officials.
She also became Chair of the review panel responsible for the Netball New Zealand Umpire’s Manual, helping support the standards and guidance used by officials.
Beyond netball, Karaitiana has accumulated extensive governance experience across numerous boards and trusts at local, national and international levels.
Her professional career has also crossed several sectors.
Before establishing her own consultancy and advisory business, she spent 23 years working in print media, developing experience in an industry that has undergone significant technological and organisational change.
Today, Karaitiana combines her consultancy work with teaching master’s students at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Kirikiriroa campus in Hamilton.
Her career reflects the diverse pathways through which community involvement, professional experience and sporting leadership can contribute to wider governance and education.
For Māori communities, her journey also highlights the importance of leadership opportunities within grassroots organisations, where many future governors, mentors and community advocates first develop their skills.
In this special conversation, Dale Husband provides an opportunity to explore the person behind the professional achievements, from the early days of netball administration through to national governance, education and life beyond sport.
The longform format allows guests to share their experiences in their own way, providing audiences with a deeper understanding of the people whose contributions have helped shape their communities.
Watch Dale Husband’s live, longform and unedited conversation with Tina Karaitiana here:
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