Welcome to the Eye Health Aotearoa April 2025 Newsletter!

Eye Health Aotearoa’s upcoming awareness campaign ‘Eye Checks Save Vision’ will focus on regular eye checks at all ages, spreading this message as widely as possible.

Did you know that two-yearly eye checks are the best way to look after your eyes and prevent vision loss? Regular eye checks ensure early detection and treatment. Find your nearest optometrist and make an appointment today!

Support the ‘Eye Checks Save Vision’ Campaign

Donations will help us develop and distribute culturally inclusive resources, reach communities most at risk, and raise national awareness about the importance of regular eye health checks.

Donate today and help protect the sight of future generations.

We are still looking for a wonderful sponsor for this campaign. We understand that many people are doing it tough right now, and we’re deeply grateful for any support - big or small - that helps us bring this vision-saving message to life. Get in touch if you are interested in contributing to this worthy campaign.

Eye Health Aotearoa (EHA) Co-Chair Chrissie Cowan has been recognised as one of 100 Māori Leaders in health. This is well-deserved acknowledgement of her hard work and dedication to the eye care sector. EHA is proud of Chrissie and congratulates her on this achievement.

Chrissie is currently in Kathmandu representing EHA at the IAPB 2030 In Sight Live conference in Nepal. She has a number of engagements including presenting the paper “The Kāpō Māori Aotearoa Declaration on Engagement and Exchange and its Relevance Beyond Aotearoa New Zealand”; attending the Western Pacific Group planning meeting regarding the 2026 Global Summit; and co-hosting an EHA / Vision 20/20 Australia side-meeting for Australian and New Zealand delegates, in the spirit of whakawhanaungatanga - establishing and fostering relationships. We look forward to hearing all about the conference on her return.

Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50. Macular Degeneration New Zealand (MDNZ) raises awareness and provides education and support to save sight for people with this eye disease. This year the charity will host a stand at Fieldays, Hamilton, in June. Fieldays is the largest agricultural event in the southern hemisphere. MDNZ will raise awareness of eye health and encourage regular eye checks in the rural community. After Fieldays, ongoing support and information will be provided through patient resources, the 0800 622 852 helpline and the MDNZ website. MDNZ is a supporting organisation of Eye Health Aotearoa.

Ngā mihi nui

The Eye Health Aotearoa Team