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 KāingaWelcome Home to Your Community

Group photo of Kāpō Māori Aotearoa members

Ngā Kete e Toru o te MātaurangaThree 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

Ngā Kōrero me ngā RauemiNews & Resources

Ngā Kōrero HouLatest News

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa CEO Named Among 100 Māori Leaders
Blog
4 April 2025

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

BookMyVaccine

Making Informed Health Decisions

Information about BookMyVaccine, New Zealand's system for scheduling COVID-19 vaccinations, with specific considerations for the kāpō community.

Resource

Waea Atamai Whakaāhei

Smartphone Accessibility

Master the built-in accessibility features of your smartphone, including VoiceOver and TalkBack.

Resource

Pūmanawa Pānui Mata Rorohiko

Computer Screen Readers

Learn how to use screen readers on Windows and Mac computers, including NVDA and VoiceOver.

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Ngā HonongaOur Partnerships

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

Strategic Partnerships

RANZCO logo
Strategic Partnership

RANZCO

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists

In 2022, we 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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Key Stakeholders

Eye Health Aotearoa logo
Key Stakeholders

Eye Health Aotearoa

Eye Health Aotearoa Charitable Trust

Our Chief Executive Chrissie Cowan has served 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, we help 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

As a trustee of Access Matters Aotearoa Trust, we contribute 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.

Deafblind Association NZ logo
Key Stakeholders

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. Our 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.

International Relationships

IAPB logo
International Relationships

IAPB

International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

Our international reach extends through our connection with IAPB via the iHealth Uluru Trust. IAPB is the global alliance for eye health, bringing together over 150 organisations worldwide to promote universal access to eye health. This connection enables us to represent indigenous perspectives at global forums, including at IAPB's international conferences where our CE Chrissie Cowan has presented on indigenous approaches to blindness prevention and management.

Funders

MSD logo
Funders

MSD

Ministry of Social Development

The Ministry of Social Development is our primary fund holder, 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. Our relationship with MSD enables us to deliver targeted support services while advocating for system-level changes that better reflect the needs of tāngata whaikaha Māori.

Whaikaha logo
Funders

Whaikaha

Ministry of Disabled People

Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People was established in July 2022 as New Zealand's first ministry led by disabled people, for disabled people. Previously these functions were under different ministries. We work closely with Whaikaha to ensure kāpō Māori perspectives are represented in disability policy development and service design, contributing to their vision of transforming disability support systems to be more accessible and responsive to disabled people and their whānau.