New EHA co-chairs John Mulka and Chrissie Cowan

The board of Eye Health Aotearoa (EHA) has elected acting chair John Mulka, former CEO of Blind and Low Vision New Zealand, and trustee Chrissie Cowan, CEO of Kāpō Māori Aotearoa, as new co-chairs.

Reflecting on the shared role, Cowan said the foundation of a grounded partnership is the relationship and the values it is formed upon. “Through our interactions and collaborative work in the vision and wider disability sector, John and I have formed a relationship based upon mutual respect, honesty and trust. These values, I believe, are crucial in any form of partnership where responsibility and accountability are shared equitably.”

The new co-chairs said their key priority will be to continue to work with EHA trustees and supporters to achieve EHA’s eight-point plan to improve eye health in Aotearoa. “We will also continue to address and raise awareness of the key underlying issues common to the prevention and treatment of eye diseases and vision loss, rather than a specific eye disease, (and) continue to build our network to promote and grow the EHA vision and objectives,” said Mulka.

Cowan was keen to acknowledge EHA deputy chair, Sue Emirali. “I hold Sue in high regard. She tirelessly and freely gives her time and has knowledge and insights as a trustee and EHA advocate. Her role offers that added support to the leadership of the trust.”

Funding advocacy and awareness

In other news, EHA signed a partnership agreement with Specsavers, making it an official coalition organisation. The partnership includes financial support to fund project-manager Brigid Hitchcock, an occupational therapist, who will focus on advocacy and awareness.

Hitchcock has extensive experience in the healthcare, community and education sectors, and was previously with the New Zealand Child Development and Disability Clinical Network, said Mulka. “Brigid has been tasked with increasing EHA’s engagement with the wider eye health and vision care sector. Her role will initiate and implement projects to elevate EHA’s policy advocacy to achieve our vision of timely and equitable access to eye healthcare services for all New Zealand residents, regardless of postcode, ethnicity or income, to eliminate avoidable blindness.”

Specsavers’ Dr Ben Ashby with EHA’s Dianne Rogers

Specsavers optometry director Dr Ben Ashby said he is proud to now officially support an organisation sharing Specsavers’ vision and values. “We look forward to standing with Eye Health Aotearoa as they fight for sight in New Zealand.”