About Blind Citizens NZ

Blind Citizens NZ is one of the country’s oldest advocacy organisations in the disability sector, (founded in 1945). It is New Zealand’s largest, generic, blindness consumer (disabled people’s) organisation.

Our Philosophy and Role

Our philosophy: to make “a blind bit of difference” as “blind people speaking for ourselves”.

Our role: to advocate on behalf of our members and blind, deafblind, low vision, and vision impaired people living in New Zealand in general to:

  • Government;
  • Providers of blindness and disability-specific services (including the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind / Blind Low Vision NZ);
  • Providers of services in general, where blind people have particular requirements that should be taken into account.

Structure of Blind Citizens NZ

In accordance with the Constitution adopted October 2019, commencing 2020, elected positions that fall due in conjunction with a scheduled election, have a three-year term. Blind Citizens NZ is governed by a Board comprising the National President and six Members-at-Large, two of whom are elected by members each year for a term of three years. These seven positions are elected by financial voting members via ballot. The Board may co-opt up to a maximum of two financial Ordinary (voting) Members. This includes the position of World Blind Union Representative (appointed by the Board). When the person is not already a Board Member, cooption of the WBU Representative to the Board is mandatory. The Vice President is an appointed position (not elected). The Board meets as soon as practicable following the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting (and national Conference when this occurs), to appoint the Vice President from amongst elected Board Members.

Elected Board positions:

  • National President – Jonathan Godfrey;
  • Members at Large (six positions): Martine Abel-Williamson, Wendy Chiang, Andrea Courtney, Chrissy Fern, Shaun Johnson, Paula Waby.

Appointed Board positions:

  • Vice-President  – Chrissy Fern ( to October 2021);
  • Acting World Blind Union Representative (appointed to 31 March 2021) – Paula Waby;

The Board’s primary role is to govern Blind Citizens NZ in a manner consistent with a mandate informed by the collective voice of Members, and to act in accordance with that mandate. This includes for example, setting the strategic direction and priorities for Blind Citizens NZ, developing and monitoring organisational policies, and accountability to Members for organisational performance.

For membership details or to join Blind Citizens NZ, go to Join Blind Citizens NZ.

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