Board Members

The current members of the Board:

• John McLennan -  Chair
• Hywel Bowen - Deputy Chair
• John Billings -Dispensing Optician
• Andrew Black - Optometrist
• Caryl Blomkvist - Lay Member
• Vivian Edgar - Optometrist
• Mike Firmston - Dispensing Optician
• George Lazaridis - Lay Member
• Richard Lobb - Optometrist
• Joanne Ryan - Dispensing Optician
• 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.

Hywel Bowen - Deputy Chair

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.

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.

Vivian Edgar - Optometrist

Board member since 2000

Vivian studied at Otago and Auckland Universities to obtain her BSc, Diploma in Optometry and a Certificate in Ocular Pharmacology. She is currently an optometrist in Te Puke. Within the field of Optometry Vivian has taken an active role including her involvement in the 1994 review of the New Zealand Association of Optometrists Council.  Vivian is the immediate past Chair of the Board, having stood down from this position on 17 October 2008.

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.

George Lazaridis - Lay Member

Board member since 2000

George has worked in the photographic business for 39 years, and has developed an expertise in photographic optics. He is currently based in Auckland. Having served many associations in the past, currently George is a Layperson on the New Zealand Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board, past Governor of the Australasian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association and past President of the Romanian Parish of St. Mary of Wellington. George values his position on the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board, and in particular the chance that it gives him to ensure that the interests of the consumer are represented.

Richard Lobb - Optometrist

Board member since 2007

Richard is an optometrist and partner in a private practice in Invercargill which employs 3.5 full time equivalent optometrists and 7 other staff.  Richard completed a Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics in 2004, a Certificate in Diagnostic Pharmaceutical Agents in 1995, and a Diploma in Optometry in 1982 from the University of Auckland.  In 2006 and 2007 Richard was an external examiner for final year optometry students at the University of Auckland.

Joanne Ryan - Dispensing Optician

Board member since 2002

Joanne obtained her Fellowship of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians in London. Since qualifying in 1984 she has practised in England, Australia and New Zealand. She is currently working in Auckland. Joanne continues to be a member of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians. Her particular interests are Paediatric Dispensing and Continuing Education and Training.

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.