Petrina holds a Bachelor Commerce Degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Commerce, from the University of Auckland. After graduating, Petrina secured a role at APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) as Member Services Manager, which she maintained for 20 years. The role involved working for the nation’s songwriters and composers, administering their rights and royalties; and managing the various services APRA offered. She has presented at copyright workshops in Samoa and Rarotonga, to support the development of copyright systems in the Pacific.
Petrina is a Trustee of the Pacific Music Awards Trust and the Event Producer for the Pacific Music Awards, which celebrates Pacific music and artists. Petrina has been involved as part of the original committee established in 2004, hosting the inaugural awards in 2005 and has undertaken the producer role for the last 10 years.
Petrina worked at the NZ Music Commission, from 2000-2002, where she was involved in a number of projects regarding Pacific music. She was a Trustee of the Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa from 2012-2017, which supports young people through music. In 2013 she co-founded SoulNote Agency, with Te Awanui Reeder, working with artists for recording and live music projects, as well as education workshops and events. She was part of the organising team for the ‘I Love the Islands’ concert series, which raised $361,000 for Samoa following the 2009 tsunami. She has been an Advisory Group member for the Auckland Museum’s music 2016/2017 music exhibition ‘Volume’ and 2018’s ‘Volume South’.
Petrina is currently employed full time at Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust, as the Progam Leader, delivering the various exhibitions and programmes the Trust produces. Tautai supports and develops Pacific artists and Pacific art
