Why Join NZAO?
NZAO members benefit from:
- Our collective voice wherever and whenever it counts - an opportunity to influence and the power to make decisions and effect change.
- Our member-only comprehensive toolkit of clinical and practice-management resources, publications, continuing professional development and networking opportunities.
- Our comprehensive liability insurance at competitive premiums - built with optometrists in mind however you practise.
- Our Save our Sight consumer campaigns raise public awareness about eye health, understanding of the major sight-threatening conditions and preventative measures; as well as raising the profile of optometry as a profession.
- Our consumer leaflets detail a range of eye health conditions.
Optometrists join the New Zealand Association of Optometrists (NZAO) for a number of reasons:
Collegiality and networking, professional development, protection, support, inspiration, representation, access to information and research, best practise standards and more.
Visibility & Advocacy:
- We work on behalf of our members to help shape the sector to ensure optometry has a high profile as an essential primary health care profession.
- We engage with many stakeholders and government officials to promote the importance of eye health and optometry being an equitable priority in New Zealand.
- We increase public awareness of vision and eye care through poster/pamphlet distribution and offer a dedicated public facing are of the website.
- We feature members in our 'Find an Optometrist' directory which directs patients to your practice.
Advancing Skills:
- We provide high quality services and benefits to enable our members to fulfill their professional roles.
- We have partnered with CFEH to enable complimentary access to over 75 online CPD opportunities.
- We foster networking with a blend of local and international speakers - clinical lectures, and workshops at our annual conference.
- We provide access to quality clinical publications: peer-reviewed journal Clinical and Experimental Optometry, OPTOMETRY CONNECTION magazine and the online MIMS Gateway.
- We advance the education and knowledge of eye and vision clinicians for the direct benefit of the health of the community through the awarding of grants and scholarships.
Growth & Sustainability:
- We offer peace of mind with a competitively priced professional indemnity insurance that can cover you for life, and business insurance.
- We are equipped to deliver the strategic goals in alignment with our vision and mission.
- We support the development of the profession of optometry as each membership subscription includes a donation to the NZAO Education and Research Trust to financially support our colleagues who will be the future educators and researchers which sustains us with increased optometry research and CPD opportunities.
JOIN NZAO TODAY
Membership of the NZAO is voluntary and open to all students of optometry and optometrists registered to practice in New Zealand.
Intending NZAO members should complete an application form (see options below).
NZAO's financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June and renewal subscriptions are charged in October each year following member approval at the AGM.
Once (new graduate and optometrist) membership has been approved new members become eligible to join their local NZAO branch. The NZAO team can send your contact details to the branch secretary in your area where an active branch exists.
Student Membership
Students enrolled in the University of Auckland B.Optom course are warmly invited to join the NZAO student members’ group.
Student membership requirements are different for each part of the course so students should complete the appropriate application form for the part they are attending.
Student Member Application form - Part II and III
Student Member Application form - Parts IV and V
Student members must renew their application each year.
New Graduate Membership
New graduates members are entitled to complimentary membership up until 30th of June the year following their university course completion. The new graduates benefit from a significantly reduced rate for the next full membership year from 1 July to 30 June with the subscription being billed in October, a portion in arrears and the rest in advance.
Please note: that in submitting the application form, an intending member acknowledges that they have read the Association’s Rules and Code of Ethics and agrees to comply with these and adhere to the high professional standards of the NZAO.
New Graduate Membership Application form
New graduate membership is only retained for one financial year until the 30th of June. You will then be switched to an Ordinary full member.
Your membership will continue into the following year unless you notify in writing to the NZAO office your intention to resign by the 30th of June
Optometrist Membership
Applicants must be engaged in regular hours of practice to optometry and be registered as an optometrist under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 and hold a current annual practising certificate.
Please note: that in submitting the application form, an intending member acknowledges that they have read the Association’s Rules and Code of Ethics and agrees to comply with these and adhere to the high professional standards of the NZAO.
Optometrist Membership Application form
Optometrist members do not renew their member applications each year.
Your membership will continue into the following year unless you notify in writing to the NZAO office your intention to resign by the 30th of June.