His violent attack erupted after he discovered she had been texting her ex-boyfriend.
Court documents show the day before her death, the pair had bought a significant amount of alcohol and spent the afternoon drinking and playing music in the garage.
Later that night, Kerehoma began texting her ex-partner, saying she didn't feel safe around Davis because he had been hitting her.
Her last text message was sent at 11.58pm on February 3.
Davis, 25, took the phone off her and became angry when he discovered the messages and started the assault that resulted in 28-year-old Kerehoma's death.
As he carried out the attack, Kerehoma's former partner became increasingly worried and continued to text her. She never responded.
He changed clothes before leaving Kerehoma to die.
Davis walked to an associate's house, informing them he had killed Kerehoma.
He left before being picked up by another associate.
"I choked the b****, she had it coming," he said.
"I made sure I finished the job. I was choking her out while she was gargling on her blood."
He returned to the garage more than 12 hours later before calling an ambulance.
It was clear to paramedic staff who arrived at the scene that Kerehoma had been dead for some hours.
Davis told police he had nothing to do with her death.
A post-mortem examination revealed she had died as a result of multiple blunt-force head injuries.
Davis left Kerehoma with a lengthy list of horrific injuries.
Her nose had been so brutally bashed her nasal bones had been driven back towards her skull cavity. There were also fractures in the base of her skull and there were 18 bruises on her face.
An examining pathologist could not rule out the possibility she could have been saved if the ambulance had been called immediately.
It was found no weapons were used in the attack, rather that all Kerehoma's injuries were consistent with the use of fists.
Justice Sarah Katz issued Davis with his final and third strike, meaning he faces a life sentence without parole.
He was remanded in custody until his sentencing on May 18.
If you're in danger now:
• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you.
• Run outside and head for where there are other people.
• Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you.
• Take the children with you.
• Don't stop to get anything else.
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay
Where to go for help or more information:
• Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
• It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
• Ministry of Justice: www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice/domestic-violence
• National Network of Stopping Violence: www.nnsvs.org.nz
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent. www.whiteribbon.org.nz
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