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Kāpō Māori Aotearoa Hui Taumata & AGM 2025"Accelerating Life Through Technology"
14-15 Nov 2025
Auckland
Registration Open

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Kāpō Māori Aotearoa

Welcome to your national support service for Māori who are blind, deafblind, have low vision, or are vision-impaired. We're here to help you navigate your journey with cultural understanding and practical support.

Nau Mai, Haere Mai ki Tō Tātou Kāinga

Welcome Home to Your Community

Group photo of Kāpō Māori Aotearoa members

Ngā Kete e Toru o te Mātauranga

Three Kete of Knowledge

On March 12, 2017, Te Kahui Tumuaki confirmed the introduction of the Kāpō Māori Aotearoa NZ 'Three Kete of Knowledge' Investment Plan.

Te Kete Tuauri

Programmes and activities enhancing physical wellbeing

Te Kete Tuatea

Educational programmes and knowledge sharing initiatives

Te Kete Wairua

Cultural engagement activities enhancing spiritual wellbeing

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa Hui Taumata & AGM 2025"Accelerating Life Through Technology"
Friday 14th - Saturday 15th November 2025
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Limited to 80 (in-person) participants
Join us for our annual gathering where members and whānau from throughout Aotearoa come together to explore how technology can enhance our lives. Priority booking for KMA Tangata members.
Learn More
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City - Event Venue
Registration deadline:Friday, 10 October 2025

Ngā Kōrero me ngā Rauemi

News & Resources

Ngā Kōrero HouLatest News

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa CEO Named Among 100 Māori Leaders
Blog
15 March 2024

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa CEO Named Among 100 Māori Leaders

Our Chief Executive, Christina (Chrissie) Cowan, has been recognised as one of Aotearoa's 100 Māori Leaders.

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa Launches New Digital Inclusion Initiative
Announcement
15 March 2024

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa Launches New Digital Inclusion Initiative

We're excited to announce our new digital inclusion programme aimed at bridging the digital divide for kāpō Māori across Aotearoa.

Partnership with RANZCO Strengthens Māori Eye Health Services
Partnership
10 March 2024

Partnership with RANZCO Strengthens Māori Eye Health Services

Our Tata Ponamu partnership with RANZCO marks a significant step forward in improving eye health outcomes for Māori communities.

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Ngā RauemiFeatured Resources

Resource

Ngā Whakarite Ohotata mō te Hunga Kāpō

Emergency Preparedness (NZ) for Blind and Low Vision

Practical, NZ-specific emergency planning for kāpō whānau: grab-bags, comms, transport, guide dog considerations, and regional alerts.

Resource

Hokohoko me te Pēke

Accessible Shopping & Banking (NZ)

Practical tips for in-store payments, ATMs, online grocery, banking apps, and staying safe from scams — tailored for kāpō in Aotearoa.

Resource

Ngā Haerenga Hauora

Healthcare Appointments (NZ)

A practical guide to planning, travelling to, and navigating GP, clinic, and hospital appointments in Aotearoa as a kāpō person or whānau.

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Ngā Hononga

Our Partnerships

We work with a range of organisations to improve outcomes for kāpō Māori

RANZCO logo
Strategic Partnership

RANZCO

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists

In 2022, Kāpō Māori Aotearoa established a formal 'Tata Ponamu' partnership agreement with RANZCO, making it one of our key strategic partnerships. RANZCO is the professional body for ophthalmologists in Australia and New Zealand, responsible for training, education and setting standards of eye health care. Through this partnership, we work together to address disparities in Māori eye health outcomes and promote culturally responsive eye care services.

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Parents of Vision Impaired NZ logo
Strategic Partnership

Parents of Vision Impaired NZ

Parents of Vision Impaired New Zealand

In 2025, Kāpō Māori Aotearoa signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with Parents of Vision Impaired New Zealand, establishing them as a strategic partner. POVI NZ provides support and advocacy for families of vision-impaired children and young people. This partnership ensures that whānau of kāpō Māori tamariki receive culturally appropriate support and resources, helping them navigate the education system and connect with services that honour both their children's vision needs and cultural identity.

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Key Stakeholders

Eye Health Aotearoa logo
Key Stakeholders

Eye Health Aotearoa

Eye Health Aotearoa Charitable Trust

Our Chief Executive Chrissie Cowan serves as co-chair of Eye Health Aotearoa since 2023, alongside John Mulka (former CEO of Blind and Low Vision NZ). Eye Health Aotearoa is a collaborative platform bringing together eye health and vision care organisations to advocate for better eye health outcomes in New Zealand. As a member of this trust, Kāpō Māori Aotearoa helps shape national eye health policies and initiatives with a focus on equity for Māori.

Access Matters Aotearoa Trust logo
Key Stakeholders

Access Matters Aotearoa Trust

Access Matters Aotearoa Trust

Our Chief Executive Chrissie Cowan serves as a trustee of Access Matters Aotearoa Trust, contributing to nationwide advocacy for accessibility legislation and inclusive design practices. The Trust brings together disability organisations to campaign for a more accessible New Zealand, particularly focusing on built environments, transportation, and digital accessibility. Chrissie Cowan has been actively involved in promoting the Trust's work through various media engagements.

Community Connections

Deafblind Association NZ logo
Community Connections

Deafblind Association NZ

Deafblind Association of New Zealand

The Deafblind Association of New Zealand provides specialized support for people who experience both vision and hearing loss. Kāpō Māori Aotearoa's collaborative relationship ensures that Māori who are deafblind receive culturally appropriate support through a combined approach that respects both their sensory needs and cultural identity. This partnership addresses the unique challenges faced by deafblind Māori and helps develop specialized resources and approaches for this community.

Blind Low Vision NZ logo
Community Connections

Blind Low Vision NZ

Blind and Low Vision New Zealand

Blind Low Vision NZ (formerly the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind) provides essential Specialist Vision Services that complement Kāpō Māori Aotearoa's cultural support work. Through annual grant applications, Kāpō Māori Aotearoa receives funding to enhance service delivery. This collaborative relationship ensures kāpō Māori can access rehabilitation and habilitation services while maintaining cultural connection and identity. This partnership helps bridge cultural barriers that might otherwise prevent Māori from accessing specialist vision services.

BLENNZ logo
Community Connections

BLENNZ

Blind and Low Vision Education Network New Zealand

BLENNZ is a national network providing specialised education services to blind, deafblind, and low vision students across New Zealand. Kāpō Māori Aotearoa's relationship with BLENNZ helps ensure kāpō Māori students receive culturally responsive educational support. We collaborate on transition planning, cultural competency development, and promoting te ao Māori perspectives in vision education. Their expertise in specialised teaching complements our cultural knowledge to support young kāpō Māori through their educational journey.

Funders

MSD logo
Funders

MSD

Ministry of Social Development

The Ministry of Social Development is Kāpō Māori Aotearoa's primary funder, providing funding for two key service contracts that support our work with kāpō Māori. MSD is one of New Zealand's largest government departments, responsible for social policy and social services. This contractual relationship enables Kāpō Māori Aotearoa to deliver targeted support services while advocating for system-level changes that better reflect the needs of tāngata whaikaha Māori.