Dame Karen Olive Poutasi DNZM (née Davidson; born 12 July 1949) is a New Zealand government official.

[3] In 1972, she married Reverend Samelu Faapoi Poutasi,[1] and the couple went on to have four children.

[6] In this role she headed the Health Department's work to implement the recommendations of the Cartwright Inquiry on cervical cancer as well as New Zealand's efforts to control the spread of HIV/AIDS.

[1][8][3] In 2019 she was seconded from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to serve as Commissioner for the Waikato District Health Board.

[11][12] In the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours, she was promoted to Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to education and the state.