Christina (Chrissie) Cowan, ONZM, Chief Executive of Kāpō Māori Aotearoa. Photo: Vishwas Sharma / Hawke's Bay Today

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa is 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. This prestigious recognition celebrates her outstanding services to Māori, particularly those who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind.

The honour acknowledges more than three decades of tireless advocacy and leadership in the disability sector. Mrs Cowan (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, Ngāti Porou) has dedicated her career to ensuring that kāpō Māori throughout Aotearoa have access to culturally affirming services that honour their identity as tangata whenua.

A Legacy of Advocacy and Service

Mrs Cowan's relationship with Kāpō Māori Aotearoa spans as much as 35 years, beginning in the organisation's early days when it was known as Ngāti Kāpō. She played an instrumental role in helping the organisation become a Ministry of Health Māori community service provider—a milestone she takes particular pride in.

In 1998, she took on the roles of Secretary and Treasurer, before being appointed Chief Executive in 2011. Under her transformative leadership, Kāpō Māori Aotearoa has evolved into a nationally recognised organisation delivering culturally affirming services for tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau. Her focus has been on managing contracts and evolving the organisation's capacity to serve as an adviser to the Government on health, social, disability, access, and justice issues.

National and International Leadership

Mrs Cowan's leadership extends well beyond Kāpō Māori Aotearoa. She serves as co-chair of Eye Health Aotearoa, working alongside sector leaders to advocate for better eye health outcomes throughout New Zealand with a focus on equity for Māori. She has also served as Chair of Access Alliance and as a member of the Whānau Ora Transformation Group.

In 2022, Mrs Cowan spearheaded a groundbreaking partnership between Kāpō Māori Aotearoa and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) to address longstanding disparities in Māori eye health. This collaboration has created pathways for more culturally appropriate eye health services and education initiatives.

Her advocacy has also reached the international stage. Mrs Cowan recently presented at the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) conference in Kathmandu, Nepal, representing indigenous perspectives on blindness prevention and management to a global audience.

Championing Rights and Accessibility

Throughout her career, Mrs Cowan has been a key witness for the Wai 2109 Kāpō Māori claim before the Waitangi Tribunal, advocating for the rights and recognition of kāpō Māori within the framework of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

She has been a vocal champion for culturally responsive and inclusive approaches to service delivery. Mrs Cowan was instrumental in advocating for the introduction of the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill, which aims to create a more accessible Aotearoa for all people with disabilities.

Mrs Cowan currently serves on the Aotearoa Independent Monitoring Mechanism for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, ensuring that the perspectives and experiences of kāpō Māori are represented at the international level in discussions about disability rights and indigenous rights.

Research and Knowledge Development

Under Mrs Cowan's leadership, Kāpō Māori Aotearoa has become increasingly engaged in research and knowledge development. She has driven significant research initiatives, including collaborations with Professor Bridgette Masters-Awatere and Dr. Rebekah Graham, documenting tangata whaikaha Māori experiences during Covid-19 and advocating for cultural competence in healthcare.

Her most recent research initiative, a Health Research Council Ngā Kanohi Kitea project titled "Ahakoa kahore mātou i te kite kei te kite" (We may be blind, but we have vision), demonstrates her commitment to knowledge creation by and for Māori in the disability sector.

Continuing Recognition

This ONZM appointment follows Mrs Cowan's recognition in 2020 as one of Aotearoa's 100 Māori Leaders for her transformative work in the disability sector. Together, these honours reflect the significant impact she has made in advancing the rights, wellbeing, and self-determination of kāpō Māori.

About Kāpō Māori Aotearoa

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa is the national organisation of Māori who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind. Guided by the vision "Mā te whakapono, te tūmanako me te aroha mātou e whakatūtuki i ngā moemoea kia puta ki te whai ao ki te ao mārama" (With truth, hope and love we will realise our dreams and bring them to the world of enlightenment), the organisation delivers culturally affirming services throughout Aotearoa.

About the New Zealand Order of Merit

The New Zealand Order of Merit recognises people who have made outstanding contributions to New Zealand. Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) are appointed for distinguished service to the Crown and nation, or distinguished service in a particular field. The New Year Honours List 2026 was announced by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet on 31 December 2025.