Chrissie Cowan ONZM

Chrissie is of Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Porou descent, and is Chief Executive of Kāpō Māori Aotearoa New Zealand Inc., a member-based society open to all people: disabled, able-bodied, Māori and Non-Māori. In 2020 she was a finalist in the Community Hero category of the Women of Influence Awards, and was also recognised as one of 100 Māori Leaders for her transformative work in the disability sector. Chrissie was awarded the Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours List for services to Māori, particularly blind and low vision people. Chrissie is also a trustee of Eye Health Aotearoa.