Our Team
Asthma New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation committed to creating a healthier New Zealand, where every Kiwi with Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) lives a full life. As New Zealand's largest asthma educator, we have been at the forefront, fighting for a New Zealand that breathes easy since 1965. Education is the most powerful tool in reducing hospitalisation and improving the way we live with asthma and COPD.
Our mission is to see a 50% reduction from asthma and COPD hospitalisation by 2029. We cannot do this on our own so we partner with health professionals and community groups to make reaching, referring and supporting patients simple.
What we do:
- Provide free education, training and support to patients with asthma and/or COPD where they need it, when they need it
- Support families and enable them to live well with asthma and/or COPD
- Deliver education to junior school students and teachers, increasing their health literacy and equipping them with asthma emergency skills
- Support High School students as they venture into a world of independence and self-management
- Deliver asthma and COPD education to Health Professionals
- Assist Doctors and Specialists by providing asthma and COPD support and education to their patients
Meet the team that delivers the above!
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Katheren Leitner CEO Asthma NZ Katheren has been heavily involved in the innovation and entrepreneurial sectors and has a number of directorships including, Chair of the NZ Institute of Management board, past Chair and current board member of the YMCA, and board member of Papakura Netball. |
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Bekitemba Maseko, Team Lead and Asthma Nurse Educator (Auckland) Registered nurse originally from Zimbabwe. Moved to New Zealand in 2007. Bekitemba previously worked in the Age Care Sector and also as a Bureau Registered Nurse. He started at Asthma New Zealand in January 2019 as an Asthma Nurse Educator and he is loving it. |
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Ann Wheat, Asthma Nurse Educator (Auckland) Ann is originally from the UK and trained as a nurse and midwife in the 1970’s at Auckland Hospital, eventually becoming a Practice Nurse. Ann joined Asthma Auckland in 2002, having completed the Asthma NZ/Unitec Asthma course, and has since completed her COPD Nursing Course. In 2005, Ann also gained her Bachelor of Nursing Degree. |
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Katie Faaiuaso, Asthma Nurse Educator (Auckland) Kia ora! I'm Katie and I am one of the nurses here at Asthma NZ. I completed my nursing degree at Unitec and spent several years working in a private hospital before starting in this role in October 2020. It's really rewarding to be able to work alongside a diverse range of individuals and groups in the community to improve asthma health outcomes. I'm particularly passionate about working collaboratively to empower people to make changes in their health behaviours that will have an impact for generations to come. In my spare time you will find me hiking or at the beach with my beautiful family.
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Brianna Hosken, Asthma Nurse Educator (Auckland) Brianna completed a double degree in Nursing and Psychology in Australia in 2002. Since then she has worked in the public, private and not for profit sectors in both medical and surgical nursing, before becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Post Anesthetic Care. She started with Asthma NZ in 2020 and having lots of personal and family experience with respiratory illness, is very passionate about helping clients with Asthma and COPD. |
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Jen Stevens,Asthma Nurse Educator (Auckland)Jen grew up in Porirua and moved to Auckland in her early 20’s to seek adventure and study a bachelor of Nursing at UoA. Previously Jen has worked at Starship children’s hospital and had varying roles within the disability sector. She started with Asthma NZ in January 2021 as an Asthma Nurse Educator and really thrives on working with people from all different backgrounds. |
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Sonia Wiltshire, Asthma Nurse Educator (Auckland) Joining Asthma NZ in August this year, I have a desire to make a difference in my community. Being asthmatic myself with two asthmatic children I appreciate the challenges families face with asthma in NZ. Born in Nelson, I have a 20+ year Nursing career working in New Zealand and Saudi Arabia, for the late Prince Abdullah. The past 6 years I worked as a Triage Nurse whilst being a mum to two busy little boys. I look forward to focusing my time on the North Shore community, educating and supporting individuals towards their best health outcomes. |
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Zoe Hunt,Health Promotions Specialist (Auckland)From South Auckland, Zoe has been passionate about preventative medicine, nutrition, health education, and reducing health inequalities since an early age. She completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy in 2010 and worked as a community pharmacist for the next decade. |
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Swarna Hermachandra, Fundraising Manager (Auckland) I joined Asthma New Zealand/ Auckland Asthma Society in 2000 as an Asthma Nursing Course Administrator having completed the Certificate in Business Administration & Computing. Since then I have progressed to the fundraising team as the fund-raising manager. It is a privilege to help fundraising with Asthma New Zealand in an effort to help people who can’t breathe as well as they could do if they were able to manage well Asthma and COPD. |
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Jee Ho Rodriguez, Accounting Manager (Auckland) Born and raised in Fiji, I moved to Auckland for senior high school and tertiary education at UoA graduating in B.Com. I have worked in various environments from trading in Precious Metals to the International Student Department at AUT and Unitec. Joining Asthma New Zealand over 10 years ago has been educational and gratifying to observe the positive difference our experienced team of nurses have made in the lives of those living with asthma. |
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