Chrissie Cowan

Eye Health Aotearoa (EHA) co-chair Chrissie Cowan has been recognised as one of 100 Māori leaders in health by Te Rau Ora (formerly Te Rau Matatini) for her contribution, service, vision, dedication and expertise towards constructive change and improvement to Māori health.

“I was speechless when I found out,” said Cowan, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou and CEO of Kāpō Māori Aotearoa. “I knew about Te Rau Ora but never thought that I would be invited as a member of the 100 Māori leaders. What I particularly like is that being on the list highlights Kāpō Māori Aotearoa, the relationships we have and the importance of eye health care.”

Elected co-chair of EHA in 2023, Cowan is also a trustee of Access Matters Aotearoa. This is well-deserved acknowledgement of her hard work and dedication to the eyecare sector, said an EHA statement. “EHA is proud of Chrissie and congratulates her on this achievement.”

Cowan’s work emphasises self-advocacy, equity and whānau ora, especially for tāngata kāpō Māori, said Te Rau Ora, a charitable trust working to transform the Māori health and social services workforce. In 2022, she spearheaded a partnership between Kāpō Māori Aotearoa and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists to address disparities in Māori eye health.

Her latest 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), further demonstrates Cowan’s commitment to knowledge mobilisation and empowerment for Māori in the disability sector, said Te Rau Ora. “Chrissie’s leadership continues to pave the way for equitable, culturally anchored healthcare for tāngata whaikaha across Aotearoa.”

At the time of the announcement, Cowan was in Kathmandu, Nepal, representing EHA at the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) 2030 In Sight conference.

Support the EHA campaign

EHA’s awareness campaign ‘Eye Checks Save Vision’ will focus on the importance of regular eye checks at all ages while spreading this message as widely as possible. Donations are welcome and will help the organisation develop and distribute culturally inclusive resources, reach communities most at risk and raise national awareness. Visit https://www.eyehealthaotearoa.org.nz/donate.