Phoenix Karaka

Phoenix Karaka (born 6 November 1993) is a New Zealand netball international. She was a member of the New Zealand teams that won the 2019 Netball World Cup. Christine Papali'i is her mother.

Career Following her success at secondary school level at Auckland Girls' Grammar School, Karaka rose through the ranks at age group level as a part of both the NZ Secondary Schools and NZ Under-21 teams, including the victorious Under-21 side at the Youth World Cup in Glasgow in 2013.

Karaka signed her first professional contract with Southern Steel for the 2013 ANZ Championship, and remained a part of the Steel for the next three seasons before signing with the Central Pulse in 2016 after consistently impressive performances, including being ranked 3rd overall for intercepts in the 2015 ANZ Championship. She captained Northern Mystics in 2019 and 2020. but pulled out the following year due to pregnancy

International Karaka made her debut for New Zealand on their 2014 Tour of the UK where she was initially selected as a training partner, however was soon promoted to the main squad following injury concerns to Casey Kopua. Karaka again returned following the birth of her daughter to the 2022 Netball Quad Series.

Karaka was named in the team of 12 for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Personal life

Phoenix Karaka's partner is All Black Patrick Tuipulotu.