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E tautoko ana i ngaa taangata puta noa i Aotearoa · Supporting people nationwide across Aotearoa

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Hui Taumata 2025

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Chrissie Cowan, ONZM - Photo by Vishwas Sharma
New Year Honours 2026

He whakatuutukinga whakahirahira nei

Celebrating Achievement

CEO Chrissie Cowan Awarded ONZM

We are immensely proud to announce that our Chief Executive, Christina (Chrissie) Cowan, has been appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours List for her outstanding services to Māori, particularly blind and low vision people.

Since 2011, Chrissie has led Kāpō Māori Aotearoa with vision and dedication, championing culturally responsive approaches to service delivery and advocating for equitable access to eye health services for kāpō Māori throughout Aotearoa.

Ngaa kete Haumi

The 3 investment baskets

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

Te Kete Oranga Hinengaro

Knowledge

Development of educational programmes and knowledge sharing initiatives.

Te Kete Oranga Tiinana

Physical

Developing programmes and activities that build member confidence and physical capabilities.

Te Kete Oranga Wairua

Spiritual

To enhance spiritual wellbeing through engagement in Te Ao Māori activities.

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa

Nau mai raa ki taa koutou ratonga tautoko aa-motu moo te hunga kaapoo, turi kaapoo, matarehu Maaori hoki. Maa maatou koutou e haapai ki te tautoko aa-wae kai pakiaka i taa koutou haereere i roto tonu i te ao Maaori.

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 hoki mai ki toou hapori

Welcome back to your community

Whakauruuru mai · Become a MemberKo wai maatou · About usWhakapaa mai · Get in touch
Group photo of Kāpō Māori Aotearoa members

Ngaa karere me ngaa rauimi

News and resources

Ngaa karere houLatest news

CEO Chrissie Cowan Awarded ONZM
Blog
31 December 2025

CEO Chrissie Cowan Awarded ONZM

Our Chief Executive, Christina (Chrissie) Cowan, has been appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to Māori, particularly blind and low vision people.

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.

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Ngaa rauimiFeatured Resources

Resource

Ngā Ratonga Tautoko mō te Kāpō

Support Services for Māori with Low Vision

A comprehensive guide to services, funding, and support available for kāpō Māori and whānau in Aotearoa New Zealand — from specialist organisations to government assistance.

Resource

Ngaa whakariteritenga Ohotata o Aotearoa

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

Te Aaheingatanga ki te hoko mea aa ngaa mahi peeke puutea

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.

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Ngaa Mahi Tahinga

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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Te Hunga Whaipaanga
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.

Ngaa Tuuhononga Hapori
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.

Ngaa Kaitautoko Puutea
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.