Chrissie has led transformative changes in the disability sector as Chief Executive of Kāpō Māori Aotearoa New Zealand Inc, a National, Indigenous Organisation founded by and for blind, vision impaired, and deaf blind Māori in Aotearoa.
Since joining the sector in 2011 with a background in business and public policy, Chrissie has focused on building culturally affirming services for tāngata whaikaha (people determined to do well) and their whānau, guided by Māori values and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Chrissie’s work emphasises self-advocacy, equity, and whānau ora, especially for tāngata kāpō Māori. 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. She is also deeply involved in hauora research, partnering with Professor Bridgette Masters-Awatere and Dr.Rebekah Graham to document tangata whaikaha Māori experiences during Covid and advocate for cultural competence in healthcare.
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 her commitment to knowledge mobilisation and empowerment for Māori in the disability sector. Chrissie’s leadership continues to pave the way for equitable, culturally anchored healthcare for tāngata whaikaha across Aotearoa.
In 2023, Eye Health Aotearoa's (EHA) board appointed Chrissie alongside John Mulka, the former CEO of Blind and Low Vision New Zealand, as its new co-chairs.
Links:
Chrissie Cowan - Chief Executive of Kāpō Māori Aotearoa New Zealand Inc
Eye Health Aoteroa EHA elects co-chairs article 6 October 2023
Interview with Chrissie Cowan, Access Alliance Chair (YouTube) 2021
Government signs off on major accessibility work programme 6 December 2018
04 April 2025
