NZAO - About Us

About NZAO

The New Zealand Association of Optometrists represents over 94% of practising optometrists in the country.

Founded in 1930, membership of the NZAO is voluntary and is open to all registered optometrists. Its affairs are overseen by a council of seven members who are elected for two year terms.

The council meets six times per year and also has a national office, which undertake the daily responsibilities of the NZAO. The National Director, Communications Officer and Administrative Assistant form the national office, located in central Wellington.

Through the national office, the council serves the following functions:

provides continuing education for its members in the form of seminars and an annual conference.
liases with the government concerning regulation of our profession
liases with government departments on matters related to eye health vision and vision standards,
liases with kindred professions on matters of mutual concern,
provides collective insurance cover
promotes the profession of Optometry to raise public awareness
Independently assess complaints against its members...find out more
supports the education of future members of the profession through involvement with the Department of Optometry and Vision Science at The University of Auckland.
as a members of the World Council of Optometry and the Asia Pacific Optometric Council
Voluntary Ophthalmic Services Overseas (VOSO), which provides eye care to Pacific Island countries