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enquiries@nfdhh.org.nz 

Our Team

Meet the amazing people behind our organisation.
DHHF's work is made possible thanks to our incredible team and the network of people and organisations who are dedicated to our vision.

Members

DHHF is governed, and guided by, two professional bodies, Our Board and our Member Organisations. Our Member Organisations are all leaders in the hearing sector, who are dedicated to achieving our shared mission of better hearing healthcare for all.


Associate Members


Associate Members

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HEARING RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Our mission: To provide funding for research into hearing disorders that will ultimately transform clinical otology practice and lead to positive outcomes for the hearing impaired.

 

We achieve our mission by:

• The provision of cornerstone funding for the Eisdell Moore Research Centre

• Supporting high quality, world leading research in hearing loss and its clinical management

• Supporting the career development of emerging scientists

• Supporting research opportunities for clinicians

• Raising public awareness of hearing disorders and promoting the need to support research

 

Hearing Research Foundation

PO Box 17-220, Greenlane, Auckland 1546

 

Email: info@hrf.nz

DEAF CHILDREN NZ

The New Zealand Federation for Deaf Children is an incorporated society made up of regional member groups. Our vision is of a future without barriers for every deaf child.

 

What we do

In New Zealand, around 170 deaf babies are born every year, mostly to parents with little experience of deafness. We provide support, information and networking opportunities for these parents, as well as help for the children. Our services include:

 

  • Family information kits

  • Assistive equipment subsidy

  • Tutor fee assistance

  • Scholarships for tertiary students

  • Freephone helpline providing information about many issues related to childhood deafness

Advocacy on behalf of deaf children and their parents

 

If you’d like to talk to another parent or learn more about childhood deafness, please contact us.

NZSOHNS

 

Otolaryngology, Head and Neck (ORL) Surgery is a surgical specialty, also known as ear, nose and throat surgery (ENT). Our members are doctors who work in this specialty as consultants, hospital doctors and trainees. We also have members who are experts in a related science.

 

Our members deal with conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat, head and neck. Some examples include:

 

  • Hearing loss and ear infections

  • Nose injuries and nasal allergies

  • Throat inflammations, snoring problems and tonsillitis

  • Neck swellings, thyroid and salivary gland disorders

  • The society exists to help members share information and increase knowledge in this specialist area. 

 

Learn more on the NZSOHNS website and find membership forms if you wish to join. 

NEW ZEALAND AUDIOLOGICAL SOCIETY

 

Our objective is to ensure a high standard of hearing healthcare for children and adults with hearing loss. We are here to help you hear! Our members use the letters MNZAS to show that they’re a member of the New Zealand Audiological Society. 

 

Why you should see an NZAS audiologist

Our members all have a university qualification in audiology and a current practising certificate. They are bound by a strict code of ethics and must fulfill continuing education requirements. Members also have to have their work reviewed by their colleagues every two years to keep their membership.

 

Find an MNZAS Audiologist

To contact a private audiology clinic directly, visit the New Zealand Audiological Society website.

 

To see a hospital audiologist, you usually need a referral from your doctor or ear specialist.

PINDROP FOUNDATION

 

The Pindrop Foundation was established in 2006 to keep that hope alive through supporting access to cochlear implant information and services.

 

Our values are commitment and passion for bringing the gift of sound to those with hearing loss.

 

Visit Pindrop's website to find out more below.

THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND

Our objective is to promote the science and practice of acoustics. Our members are especially interested in problems associated with noise and noise control.

 

Membership

We are an incorporated society with branches in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Our membership is open to anyone with an interest in acoustics.

 

To find out more visit our website

HEARING THERAPISTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND

 

Hearing therapists assist people to manage the impact of hearing loss. Hearing Therapists Association of New Zealand (Inc) (HTANZ) is the professional organisation through which hearing therapists can be represented and the profession of hearing therapy be developed.

 

​Find an HTANZ hearing therapist by visiting our website below.

SOUTHERN COCHLEAR IMPLANT PROGRAMME

 

The Southern Hearing Charitable Trust’s Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP) is publicly funded and serves profoundly deaf children and adults in the Lower North and South Islands of New Zealand.

 

A cochlear implant can help children and adults with moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss who derive minimal benefit from conventional hearing aids.

View the SCIP website below.

HEAR THIS EDUCATION AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND 

Background and Mission

Founded in 1938, we initially provided services for the hard of hearing and those seeking more information about hearing loss. Since 2023, our focus is firmly on education to promote the benefits of good hearing, hearing longevity, and to demonstrate practical hearing management tools that reduce the potential for music- and noise-induced hearing loss.

Current Reach and Future Growth

We deliver presentations to primary, intermediate, and high school students, and at tertiary institutions in four New Zealand regions. In 2025, we are on track to deliver our programme to over 3000 recipients. We aim to expand to eleven NZ regions in 2026. Through collaboration with organisations that have similar interests and goals, we look to be a positive hearing influence and hearing advocate for people throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Email        hearing@hearinginfo.co.nz

NFD Trustees

The NFD Trust offers grants and scholarships to New Zealanders who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Grants are also available to those who are hearing able and work in the Deaf and hard of hearing sector.

Our Trustee’s volunteer their time to help manage the funds that are offered to help promote positive outcomes for the Deaf and hard of hearing community. For example, providing funds to Deaf or hard of hearing students, so they were able to attend university and go after their dream career or providing funds to organise camps for Deaf or hard of hearing children.

 

NFD Trustees have a fundamental role in ensuring funds are spent prudently both with investment and distribution. They help to ensure that any grant and scholarship applications that are accepted will be effective in helping our community.

To find out more about our Grants and Scholarships, click here.

Our current

NFD Trustees are

Peter Thorne

Steve Smith

Tony McCabe

Fiona Gavriel

Danielle Gapes

Team DHHF

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Foundation is an established and trusted charity that advocates for hearing wellbeing.

​Our hard-working team are dedicated to supporting the Deaf and hard of hearing community through our campaigns, services and programmes.

NATASHA GALLARDO

Chief Executive

LINDA HOLMES

Community & Corporate Partnerships Manager

BRIANA VALGRE

Programme and Communications Coordinator

ELIZABETH BROWN 

Funding Administrator

LISA TALBOT

Donor Relations Manager

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VERONIQUE THEBERGE

Fundraising Coordinator

JENNY REGAN

Administration Support

SHIRLEY RIPPEY

Human Resources Advisor

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ROSE EWING

Team Leader - Community Partnerships Administrators

AGNES MIKA

Community Partnership Administrator

SUE AMTMAN

Community Partnerships Administrator

ANDREA RICHARDSON

Community Partnerships Administrator

Our Board

DHHF is governed, and guided by, two professional bodies, our Board and our Member Organisations. Our Board members are all leaders in their respective fields, who are dedicated to achieving DHHF's mission. They dedicate their time and expertise voluntarily, and DHHF owes its continuing existence to the commitment of these hard-working individuals.

Steve Smith

Board Chair

Daniel Reid

Board Member

April Johnson

Board Member

Joanne Mahon

Board Member

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Sarah Helm

Board Member

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Joanna Bourke

Board Member

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Neil Heslop

Board Member

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