Welcome Willy and Kataraina!

We’re delighted to welcome two new members to the Pūtahi Manawa Māori Leadership Team in 2026: Wiremu (Willy) Bhana and Kataraina Davis.

Kataraina Davis, of Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Hine and Ngāti Kahu descent, brings a strong connection to Pūtahi Manawa and a deep commitment to the kaupapa. She is Chief Advisor Māori at the Heart Foundation NZ and a Māori designer working for Maurea Ltd. Her work sits at the intersection of Te Ao Māori, design and health, with a focus on strengthening the cultural capability of people and organisations to create better outcomes for Māori. Kataraina brings a valuable perspective to the Māori Leadership Team, with a passion for ensuring that Māori knowledge, perspectives and ways of thinking are meaningfully reflected in the way we approach our work.

Wiremu (Willy) Bhana is a Māori health leader with more than 30 years of clinical, operational and strategic leadership experience across the health sector. He currently serves as Cardiovascular and Respiratory Director Partner – Māori Health Lead and He Ara Whiria Provider Services Lead at Te Toka Tumai Auckland.

A Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu, and Tainui man, Wiremu is passionate about creating systems that work better for whānau by weaving together clinical excellence, equity, mātauranga Māori and authentic partnership. His leadership focuses on strengthening Māori voice and influence within governance, service design, research and innovation, ensuring Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments are translated into meaningful action.

A strong advocate for whānau-centred approaches, Willy works across local, district and regional settings to support initiatives that improve access, outcomes and experiences for Māori communities. He joins the Pūtahi Manawa Māori Leadership Team with a commitment to collective leadership, advancing Māori health research, and growing opportunities for future generations of Māori health professionals and researchers.

Kataraina and Willy have already made a big impact within the Māori Leadership Team. We look forward to the experience, perspectives and leadership they will continue to bring as we strengthen Māori leadership and advance heart health research for whānau.