Alatini moved to
Auckland from Tonga as a child. He attended
King's College, and played for the national secondary school side in 1993-94 and the national under-19 team in 1995. He played 30 matches for the Counties-Manukau NPC team in 1995–96, and five matches for the Crusaders in the Super 12 in 1996. He represented the New Zealand Colts and played three Super 12 matches for the Chiefs in 1997. In 2006, he left Suntory to play for Kamaishi Seawaves. In 2013, Pita started a new role as Director of Rugby at
Pakuranga United Rugby Club in Auckland's eastern suburbs. In his first year of coaching the premier side, he led Pakuranga United to their first Gallaher Shield victory in the club's 48-year history.
All Black career Alatini made his debut for the All Blacks on 11 June 1999, in a 22–11 victory over New Zealand A at
Jade Stadium. He played his first test on 26 June 1999, in a 54–7 victory over
France at
Athletic Park. He was selected for the
1999 Rugby World Cup squad, playing in a pool match against
Italy which the All Blacks won 101–3, and coming on as a replacement for
Tana Umaga in the third-place playoff against
South Africa, which South Africa won 22–18. Alatini was the All Blacks' first choice second five-eighth during the
2000 Tri Nations, and was selected for the All Blacks' end-of-year tour to France and Italy. He was dropped from the starting line-up for the tests against France, with the selectors preferring
Daryl Gibson at second five-eighth due to his more physical defense. He played as an unused reserve in the second test against France, and started the test against Italy. He regained his place as the All Blacks' first choice second five-eighth for the 2001 domestic tests and
Tri Nations. Alatini played his last test for the All Blacks on 1 September 2001, in a 29–26 loss to Australia at
Stadium Australia. After the 2001 Tri Nations, the All Blacks coaches
Wayne Smith and
Tony Gilbert were replaced by
John Mitchell and
Robbie Deans. Alatini was selected for the All Blacks for the last time on the 2001 tour of Ireland and Argentina. He was relegated to the mid-week team, with the new coaches preferring
Aaron Mauger at second five-eighth for the test matches due to his superior distribution skills. == Post rugby ==