We champion, develop and support optometry and optometrists

The New Zealand Association of Optometrists (NZAO) is New Zealand's peak body for optometry representing the majority of optometrists.  For almost 100 years, NZAO has championed optometry and supported optometrists to deliver the highest standards of eye health care to New Zealanders.

As an incorporated society which is wholly owned by the members, NZAO invests in services for our members.

Our objectives are:

  • To represent the collective views of members and to promote the role of optometry in the provision of the highest standard of primary vision care.

  •  To promote the highest standard of optometric education through the provision of undergraduate and graduate scholarships, continuing education and vision research.

  •  To support the international community through participation in international and regional optometric organisations and the voluntary provision of optometric services in developing countries.

 The NZAO membership includes around 80% of the practising optometrists in this country thus represents most of the primary providers of eye health services for New Zealand.

Optometrists who are members of the NZ Association of Optometrists are bound by professional ethics and clinical guidelines to provide the highest standards of eye health and vision care. 

NZAO has an elected Council which acts of the governing body of our organisation. 

Find our more about NZAO by clicking onto the link to Our People.