About Us
Our Values
Our values guide everything we do at Kāpō Māori Aotearoa, reflecting our commitment to serving and empowering our community through indigenous wisdom and modern innovation.
Indigenous authority of Māori who are either blind, have low vision, vision and/or deaf blind.
Establishing kinship through indigenous and kāpō genealogy.
Building meaningful and mutually respectful relationships through working together, sharing experiences and strengthening each other.
Unifying tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau.
Managing and protecting KMA and our indigeneity.
Tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau holistic wellbeing.
Supporting tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau to use their indigeneity on their whanau ora (family wellbeing) journey.
Tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau spiritual values in Māori wellbeing.
Caring for and helping tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau to realise their indigeneity.
Encouraging tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau to use their indigeneity to achieve their potential.
Kāpō Māori Aotearoa was established in response to the unmet needs of kāpō Māori who were not being adequately served by mainstream vision services.
Throughout the 1990s, we expanded our service offerings to include specialised cultural support services.
The new millennium saw significant growth in our reach and advocacy efforts.
Under new leadership, we established important research partnerships and international connections.
Leading innovative digital inclusion projects and health equity initiatives.
Our Strategic Priorities
Our strategic priorities guide our organisation's direction and focus, ensuring we remain true to our mission while adapting to meet the evolving needs of our community.
Our Work
Through our diverse range of services and initiatives, we work to empower and support kāpō Māori across Aotearoa.
We provide cultural connection and support for kāpō Māori accessing vision services.
We advocate at local, national, and international levels for the rights and needs of kāpō Māori.
We work collaboratively with mainstream vision service providers.
We lead and participate in research initiatives that improve understanding of kāpō Māori experiences.
We bring together kāpō Māori from across the country through hui and conferences.
We develop and distribute culturally appropriate information in accessible formats.
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.
Development of tertiary educational grants and research fund to support our members and their whanau.
Developing programs and activities that build member confidence and physical capabilities.
To support member self-awareness through engagement in Te Ao Māori activities.
National Board
Te Kahui Tumuaki (National Board) provides governance and strategic leadership for Kāpō Māori Aotearoa. Our board members bring diverse expertise in disability advocacy, cultural leadership, and governance to ensure we continue to serve kāpō Māori effectively.
President
M.N.Z.M
Iwi: Maniapoto
Nigel has been a member of Te Kahui Tumuaki since 2001. Nigel has a Bachelor of Literary Performing ...
Vice President
Iwi: Ngati Maniapoto
Natasha joined KMA in 2015. She has since met other members from similar backgrounds and struggles b...
Executive Member
Iwi: Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Whātua
Raewyne joins Te Kahui Tumuaki with over 25 years in Governance. In her former role as Executive Ass...
Executive Member
M.N.Z.M
Iwi: Ngāti Porou, Tuhoe
Gaylene grew up in Ngaputahi, in the Urewera National Park. She worked for the NZ Childcare Associat...
Executive Member
Iwi: Ngati Porou
Wiremu joined KMA in 20114. He has since met other members from similar backgrounds and struggles bu...
Our Team
Meet the dedicated team behind Kāpō Māori Aotearoa. Our staff members work tirelessly to support and empower kāpō Māori across Aotearoa.
Chief Executive
Iwi: Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou
Member since 2011
Of Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Porou descent
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Member since 2023
Nasim formally joined KMA in 2023 and she is a 3rd generation Fijian Indian.
Governance and Operations Liaison Officer
Iwi: Ngāti Kahungunu
Member since 2019
Tarewa formally joined Kāpō Māori Aotearoa in June 2019 as our Communications Officer, working closely with our rangatahi group; Ngā Rōpu o Manaaki Tā...
Tangata Whaikaha Kaimahi (Hapori Māori)
Iwi: Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Taunui, Te Whanua a Apanui
Member since 2017
Based in Taumarunui, Delayne has been with Kāpō Māori Aotearoa since March 2017.
Tangata Whaikaha Kaimahi (Hapori Maori)
Iwi: Te Aitangi ā Hauiti
Member since 2023
Kia Ora My name is Bernadine Rangi and I am one of the new kaimahi joining the KMA whānau. I currently live in Paraparaumu, Wellington and look forwar...
Customer Services
Iwi: Tainui, Ngati Kahungunu, Rangitane, Kāi Tahu
Member since 2019
Lisa had previously volunteered every year for Kāpō Māori Aotearoa since 2016. As of June 2019, Lisa is Kāpō Māori Aotearoa's Data Projector, helping ...
Kaiwhakahaere Pūhana (Systems Administrator)
Iwi: Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Rarawa
Member since 2024
Josh joined KMA in 2024 as a systems administrator. His background stems from working in several different environments as a freelance audio engineer....
Our Partnerships
We work with a range of organisations to improve eye health outcomes for Māori
Kāpō Māori Aotearoa works with a range of organizations to ensure comprehensive support for our members. These partnerships strengthen our ability to create positive change at both individual and systemic levels. Our collaborative approach ensures that kāpō Māori receive culturally appropriate services while maintaining their cultural identity.
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
Parents of Vision Impaired New Zealand
"Kāpō Māori Aotearoa has been my lifeline to both my culture and to services that truly understand me."
— Rangatahi Member, Auckland"The support from Kāpō Māori Aotearoa has transformed how our whole whānau approaches vision loss."
— Whānau Member, Rotorua"As someone who became blind later in life, Kāpō Māori Aotearoa helped me reconnect with my cultural identity."
— Kaumātua Member, GisborneLegal and Policies
Our policies and legal documents ensure transparency and accountability in all our operations.