Barry is a mokopuna of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Ngāti Kohua of Tainui but was raised in a staunch Methodist whānau in Taranaki.  His early life is filled with many experiences which are for him to tell but show his courage to stand up for what he believed in, only to be severely punished by a system that was supposed to be there to help and show compassion, acceptance, and understanding.

This led to Barry going to Kahanui Therapeutic Community and eventually becoming its Director, a significant contributor to the therapeutic community network internationally.

Barry is a respected elder and mana-enhancing leader, deeply committed to advancing Māori mental health, whānau ora, and indigenous wellbeing. He has been at the forefront of governance, health leadership, and cultural revitalisation for over three decades.

Currently, Barry is the Wisdom Keeper Elder on the International Indigenous Council for Healing Our Spirit Worldwide (IIC), a role he has held since September 2023, contributing to global Indigenous health initiatives. He also serves as Deputy Chair of Te Pou Hauora o Tāmaki Makaurau (IMPB) for Counties Manukau, appointed in 2024.

Barry's work spans many leadership roles, including serving as a Board Director of Te Kete Pounamu since 2021, promoting Māori mental health through lived-experience expertise. He has been a Patron of the  Journal of Indigenous Wellbeing - Te Mauri Pimatisiwin since 2015, promoting international understanding of indigenous approaches to health and wellbeing.

He was a founding Trustee and Deputy Chair of Te Rau Matatini (now Te Rau Ora), contributing 18 years of leadership to the organisation’s development, particularly in Māori workforce and mental health.

Barry has also led his Wikitoria King Whānau Trust since 2003, focusing on sustainable whānau development, and served as Trustee of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Deputy Chair of Pou Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Te Pou Tāngata Community Development Trust, ensuring social service opportunities for his iwi.

Throughout his career, Barry has championed kaupapa Māori approaches in the health sector, including in his roles at Turuki Health Care, where he led Whānau Ora Development and Mental Health and Addictions programmes, emphasizing the integration of tikanga and wairuatanga in healing.

Barry’s enduring influence and leadership continue to inspire future generations of Māori leaders, ensuring that indigenous knowledge and practices remain central to health and wellbeing in Aotearoa and beyond. Lessons in leadership from Barry include courage, determination and walking in spirit.

Links:

Kaumatua Barry Bublitz shares his journey of Pleiades through to Matariki as a learned older person. 

Journal of Indigenous Wellbeing Te Mauri - Pimatisiwin Volume 7 | Issue 1 Editorial 2, May 2024

Mana whenua concerned about new partnership boards Wednesday 27 April 2022