Board Members

The current members of the Board:

• John McLennan - Chair
• Richard Lobb - Deputy Chair
• John Billings - Dispensing Optician
• Andrew Black - Optometrist
• Caryl Blomkvist - Lay Member
• Hywel Bowen - Optometrist
• Kylie Dreaver - Optometrist
• Mike Firmston - Dispensing Optician
• Lorraine Helson - Dispensing Optician
• Kiri Rikihana - Lay Member
• Ruth Spelman - Lay Member

John McLennan - Chair

Board member since 2005

John is a past president of the NZAO and, most recently, was an optometrist representative with the Allied Health Standards 8171 working group. This group, promoted by Standards New Zealand and sponsored by ACC, determine combined health standards for all allied health professionals. John has been practising for 30 years and owns a private practice in Auckland. John was elected Chair of the Board on 17 October 2008.

Richard Lobb - Deputy Chair

Board member since 2007

Richard works in private practice in Invercargill. He completed his undergraduate optometry training in 1982, his Diagnostic Pharmaceutical Agents training in 1995 and the Auckland Programme in Ocular Therapeutics (TAPIOT) in 2004. Richard is currently an external examiner for the Department of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Auckland, and serves on the Board's CPD Accreditation and Registration committees. He was elected Deputy Chair of the Board at its meeting on 29 January 2010.

John Billings - Dispensing Optician

Board member since 2007

John is a dispensing optician based in Wellington and is the Professional Services Manager (dispensing opticians) for a multi practice firm. Prior to this he has worked in private practice, and has been Practice Manager of an optical dispensing practice in Porirua. John completed a fellowship diploma in Optical Dispensing at Bradford College, England in 1989. He is a former member of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, an executive councillor of the Association of Dispensing Opticians New Zealand (ADONZ) and has been on the Education Committee of the ADONZ.

Andrew Black - Optometrist

Board Member since 2008

Andrew is a New Zealand trained optometrist who qualified in 1992 and obtained his therapeutic qualification in 2006. Andrew is self employed in his Kilbirnie practice and also works part time at the Low Vision Clinic at the Wellington Hospital Eye Department, where he has sub-specialised in low vision. He is also current Chair of the New Zealand Optometric Vision Research Foundation (NZOVRF).

Caryl Blomkvist - Lay Member

Board Member since 2008

Caryl is a solicitor at the Community Law Centre - Wanganui. She has a diverse background having qualified as a nurse and completed a BA in Sociology, as well as her law degree (being admitted to the bar in 1991). Caryl has been a previous member of the Chiropractic Board.

Hywel Bowen - Optometrist

Board Member since 2005

Hywel qualified as an optometrist in Wales, working in the UK and Australia before setting up a practice in Thames. He spent nearly 20 years as an associate lecturer at Auckland University. After selling his practice he has worked from KeriKeri to Christchurch, and now works in a multiple practice in Hamilton. He also undertakes some volunteer ophthalmic work in the developing nations of the South Pacific. Hywel, however, makes sure he has time for his family, tramping and sailing and is a member of the Rotary Club of Thames. Hywel was elected Deputy Chair of the Board on 17 October 2008.

Kylie Dreaver - Optometrist

Board member since 2009

Kylie is an optometrist working in Auckland, having bought Victoria Street Optometrists with another optometrist in July 2009. She also runs diabetic screening at the Manukau Super Clinic. Kylie completed a Bachelor of Optometry (1995) and a Certificate of Ocular Therapeutics (2005) at the University of Auckland. Since 2006 she has been a member of Volunteer Ophthalmic Services Overseas and has completed several excursions to Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea to train hospital staff in refraction.

Mike Firmston - Dispensing Optician

Board member since 2001

Mike qualified as a Dispensing Optician with RDONZ, the New Zealand examination for Dispensing Opticians. Mike is in practice in Auckland. He is a director of Optiblocks NZ and a past Examiner for the Dispensing Optician course. Mike has also been a consultant to the Health and Disability Commission, and an executive member of the Association of Dispensing Opticians New Zealand.

Lorraine Helson - Dispensing Optician

Board member since 2009

Lorraine is a dispensing optician at Stenersen Kain Opticians in Gisborne. Prior to this she was the Manager and owner of Maher Opticians. Mrs Helson completed a Diploma of Refracting Optician at the Northern Albert Institute of Technology, Canada (2002), a Competency Assessment and Training Diploma through OPSM (1998), a Diploma of Retail Studies at Monash University, Australia and was made a Fellow of the Association of Dispensing Opticians through the New Zealand Association of Dispensing Opticians (1994). She is Secretary and Treasurer of the Association of Dispensing Opticians New Zealand (2004-2009) and was a previous Vice President (1999-2000) and Member (1996-1998).

Kiri Rikihana - Lay Member

Board member since 2009

Kiri (Ngati Raukawa, Te Ati Awa, Ngati Toa Rangatira) is from Wellington and is currently a Legal Counsel/Privacy Officer for Capital Coast District Health Board. In 2010 she will return to self-employment as a Health Policy Consultant. Ms Rikihana completed a Bachelor of Social Science (Maori) and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Waikato and is has been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Kiri also holds a certificate in Life Coaching from Australia's Life Coaching Academy. She was a member of the Nelson Marlborough DHB (2004-2007), a member of the Poumanawa Oranga Maori Development Organisation in Blenheim (2004-2006) and Convenor of the National Kaitiaki Group of the Ministry of Health (2003-2006).

Ruth Spelman - Lay Member

Board member since 2007

Ruth works independently as a coach of public sector and not-for-profit managers in Auckland and Hamilton. She also sits on the Board of Sisters of Mercy Wiri and has been a member of the Board of Trustees in High Schools in both Auckland and Wellington. Ruth worked for 12 years in the public service, most recently as the Regional Manager for the Parole Board in the Northern Region.