Roger Te Puni, now with CR Surfacing

Best known for his previous role as Alcon’s long-term sales manager of the New Zealand vision care team, Wellingtonian (and die-hard Hurricanes fan) Roger Te Puni has returned to the eyecare world, joining optical lens manufacturer CR Surfacing.

Having spent the last year self-employed, working in the food packaging, printing and platemaking worlds, Te Puni admitted he’d missed the world of eyecare. “I’m really looking forward to getting back out into the industry and reconnecting with a lot of old customers and building new relationships. CR Surfacing has a great team based here, with Linton running the New Zealand business and, backed by our Australian HQ and manufacturing labs, the company has superb technology supporting great products.”

CR Surfacing NZ general manager Linton Dodge said it was fantastic that Te Puni was joining the team, replacing Australian-based Sasha Sergejew and Matt Murray. “As the Covid-19 situation unfolded, with the border restrictions and lack of travel between the two countries, we decided to look for a New Zealand-based option and with the fantastic find of Roger we are very excited with the decision.”

Relationships with customers are key to the longevity and success of the business, said Dodge. “Roger was an easy choice. With 17 years in the business, a great knowledge of optics and well known to many, we believe he fits perfectly with the CR Surfacing team.”

Roger will be looking after independent practices across New Zealand, Dodge added. “He possesses extensive knowledge in business management and customer relationships, which will be invaluable as we move forward, rolling out CR Surfacing’s two new coatings, TrueClear and TrueBlue, closely followed by our latest offering in lens technology which will soon be released in New Zealand.”

Before joining the world of eyecare, Te Puni was best known for representing New Zealand in the high jump at multiple Commonwealth Games and the 1991 World Championships in Athletics. He continues to follow his sporting passions, especially as two of his three sons now compete in basketball and athletics at a national level, which is great fun to watch, he said.