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

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.

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

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

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.

University of Waikato

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa has a significant research partnership with the University of Waikato involving collaboration with Professor Bridgette Masters-Awatere and Dr. Rebekah Graham. This partnership has been instrumental in documenting the experiences of tangata whaikaha Māori during the Covid pandemic and advocating for cultural competence in healthcare. The University of Waikato brings academic expertise in Māori health research methodologies that complement our community knowledge and connections.

Health Research Council

Health Research Council of New Zealand

The Health Research Council has funded Kāpō Māori Aotearoa's Ngā Kanohi Kitea project 'Ahakoa kahore mātou i te kite kei te kite' (We may be blind, but we have vision). As New Zealand's principal government funding agency for health research, their support enables us to conduct community-led research that centers Māori perspectives in vision health. This project exemplifies our commitment to knowledge mobilisation and aims to influence health policy and practice for tāngata whaikaha Māori.

IAPB

International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa's 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 Chief Executive Chrissie Cowan has presented on indigenous approaches to blindness prevention and management.

UN CRPD

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Our Chief Executive Chrissie Cowan has been involved in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) since 2015, serving on the governance group preparing UN reports for New Zealand. This involvement ensures that the perspectives and experiences of kāpō Māori are represented at the international level in discussions about disability rights and inclusion. Through this work, Kāpō Māori Aotearoa contributes to New Zealand's compliance with international disability rights standards and advocates for the recognition of indigenous approaches to disability and inclusion.