Rate My Professor Karina Nafatali

Karina Nafatali is a Senior Professional Practice Fellow in Primary and Secondary Education and the Pasifika Co-ordinator at the University of Otago College of Education in Dunedin. Born in Samoa and raised in Dunedin after her family migrated when she was an infant, Nafatali draws from her Pasifika heritage where learning and education have been integral, shaped by her parents, church, and communities alongside formal New Zealand schooling. She holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Geography from the University of Otago, a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) from the Dunedin College of Education (now part of the University of Otago College of Education), and a Master of Indigenous Studies awarded in December 2025. Her master's research utilized an autoethnographic methodology to retrace her personal schooling journey, with the aim of identifying ways to create supportive learning spaces for Pasifika tauira to thrive. Her academic interests and research focus on Pasifika education, Pasifika learners, and their place within New Zealand society.

Nafatali's extensive career in education includes 22 years as a teacher at Kaikorai Valley College, where she served as a classroom teacher across Years 7 to 13, Head of Department in Social Sciences, Year Level Dean, and Pasifika Liaison. Following hospitality work after her undergraduate studies, her teaching diploma marked a pivotal shift, igniting her passion for the profession. She joined the University of Otago College of Education in 2021 as a Professional Practice Fellow in Primary and Secondary Education, advancing to her current senior role while providing essential support to Pasifika students. Nafatali engages deeply with initial teacher education, coordinating papers such as EDUC476 on Diversity and Inclusion, and states that she interacts with every student passing through the college. She shares her teaching philosophies with future educators to enhance experiences for Pasifika learners. Additionally, she has coached netball, rugby, and touch rugby teams, including University women's squads and serving as assistant coach for the Otago Spirit. From February 2026, Nafatali will step into the role of Associate Dean Pacific at the College of Education, continuing her dedication to Pasifika advancement in education.