Jonathan Godfrey | President

Jonathan Godfrey was first elected to the Board in 2004 and is a Member-for-Life. He has held the positions of Member-at-Large, and Vice President. Jonathan was first elected to the position of National President in 2017. He is currently serving a further three-year term, which concludes after the 2028 AGM. He is employed as a lecturer in statistics at Massey University.

Paula Waby | Vice President

Paula Waby was first elected to the Board in November 2013 and is a Member-for-Life. She has held the positions of Member-at-Large and also World Blind Union Representative. Paula holds one of six Board Member positions. She has been appointed by the Board as Vice President, a position she holds until the 2026 AGM. Her term as a Board Member ends after the 2026 AGM and Conference.

Martine Abel-Williamson

Martine has been on the Board since 2004 and is a Member-for-Life. She holds one of six Board Member positions. Her term concludes after the 2028 AGM. Martine emigrated to New Zealand from South Africa. Serving a four-year term that concluded in September 2025, she held the internationally elected position of President of the World Blind Union. Martine is currently serving a four-year term as the World Blind Union Immediate Past President, concluding late in 2029.

Peter Allen

A Member-for-Life. Peter was co-opted to the Board in August 2025 and serves a two-year term. This is a positive step towards ensuring the needs of Kāpō Tāngata Whenua members are incorporated into all Blind Citizens NZ’s work across the organisation.

Andrea Courtney

Andrea Courtney was first elected to the Board in 2004 and is a Member-for-Life. Her current term of office concludes after the 2026 AGM.

One of Andrea’s most memorable roles on the Board has been as a monitor for various country monitoring projects which relate to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Having been inspired by a speech by Ruth Dyson many years ago, about the importance of studying, Andrea has gained a National Certificate in Social Services, followed by a Diploma in Arts with an endorsement in Social Policy.

Beverley (Bev) Duncan

Bev joined the Board in October 2024 and is a Member-for-Life. She holds one of six Board Member positions. Bev is also the Coordinator for Blind Citizens NZ’s Guide Dog Handler Special Interest Network. Her term concludes after the 2027 AGM.

Russell Lowry

Russell was co-opted to the Board in August 2025 and serves a two-year term. This is a positive step towards ensuring the needs of Kāpō Tāngata Whenua members are incorporated into all Blind Citizens NZ’s mahi across the organisation.

Maria Stevens

A Member-for-Life, Maria was elected to the Board in October 2024 and holds one of six Board Member positions. Her term concludes after the 2027 AGM.

Juanita Willems

Juanita joined the Board in October 2025. She holds one of six Board Member positions. Her term concludes after the 2028 AGM.