Blind Low Vision NZ
Blind Low Vision NZ is a registered New Zealand charity founded in 1890 and the country's sole IGDF-accredited guide dog provider, delivering vision rehabilitation, an accessible library, adaptive technology, and emotional support to approximately 180,000 Kiwis who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1890
- HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Blind Low Vision NZ does
Blind Low Vision NZ is a registered New Zealand charity (Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Incorporated, charity number CC21361) founded in 1890 and headquartered in Newmarket, Auckland. Operating as the country's sole IGDF-accredited provider of guide dog services and its leading vision rehabilitation organisation, it serves an addressable population of approximately 180,000–193,000 New Zealanders who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision — projected to grow to 225,000 by 2028. The organisation delivers services through regional offices (Auckland, Christchurch), a contact centre, community committees, and a healthcare-professional referral pathway, processing roughly 6–9 new referrals per day. Its 501–1,000 employees include Guide Dog Mobility Instructors, Rehabilitation Instructors, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, Adaptive Technology specialists, and Counsellors, supported by a nationwide volunteer network.
The service portfolio spans ten interconnected pillars: Guide Dog Services (IGDF-accredited breeding and training at the Manurewa centre, ~100+ puppies/year, ~one-third qualifying as working dogs, plus the 2025 VLAD programme); an Accessible Library of 36,000+ titles in DAISY audio, Braille, and e-braille, integrated with Amazon Alexa, Dolphin EasyReader (iOS/Android), Aurora Web Portal, and the Accessible Books Consortium (adding 99,500 DAISY titles); Adaptive Technology advisory and a dedicated helpdesk; Getting Around mobility training; Daily Living Skills; Emotional Support counselling; Telefriend peer support; Sport and Leisure; Employment and Youth Pathways (Work Ready programme); and Self-Advocacy resources including the Know Your Rights webinar series and Clearing Our Way accessibility guidelines. In 2025 the organisation also launched a nationwide White Cane Initiative providing free canes to registered members.
Revenue is generated primarily through donations and fundraising (~60% of annual income), supplemented by a tiered "Your Impact / Tō Pāngā" membership programme (Champion, Ambassador, Visionary tiers), ~35 trusts and foundations, Gifts in Wills legacies, corporate partnerships, guide dog sponsorship, and equipment sales via the Vision Store e-commerce partnership with Vision Australia. The guide dog programme receives no government funding, with each dog costing approximately $175,000 to raise, train, and keep in service. The organisation is governed by a Board of Directors and currently operates under a 2024–2028 Strategic Plan.
Blind Low Vision NZ firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blind Low Vision NZ
- Legal name
- Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Incorporated
- Website
- https://blindlowvision.org.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1890
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Blind Low Vision NZ is a registered New Zealand charity founded in 1890 and the country's sole IGDF-accredited guide dog provider, delivering vision rehabilitation, an accessible library, adaptive technology, and emotional support to approximately 180,000 Kiwis who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Blind Low Vision NZ industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vision Rehabilitation Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)
- SIC
- Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Low Vision Rehabilitation (HLAKAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Low Vision & Assistive Vision Devices (Magnifiers, Electronic Video Magnifiers, Wearable Vision Aids) (HLAHAJAN)
Keywords
Where Blind Low Vision NZ is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Auckland
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices4 records
Markets served
Blind Low Vision NZ business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Approximately 60% of Blind Low Vision NZ's annual income comes from donations and fundraising activities, including community fundraising events, face-to-face fundraising, PAWGUST fitness challenge, Chores for Paws, corporate donations, and individual regular giving.
- Membership Programme (Your Impact / Tō Pāngā): Recurring membership programme with tiered monthly or annual donations: Champion ($100/month or $1,200/year), Ambassador ($200/month or $2,400/year), Visionary ($400/month or $4,800/year).
- Trusts and Foundations: Philanthropic grants and funding from approximately 35 named trusts and foundations supporting specific programmes and services.
- Gifts in Wills (Legacies): Bequests and legacy gifts from supporters who leave a percentage, residual, or pecuniary gift in their Will. The organisation is registered as Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Incorporated.
- Guide Dog Sponsorship: Targeted donations specifically for guide dog breeding, raising, and training. Each guide dog costs approximately $175,000 to raise, train, and keep in service, with no government funding received for this programme.
- Equipment and Product Sales: Sale of adaptive equipment, low vision aids, and assistive technology through the Vision Store (operated in partnership with Vision Australia), with subsidies available through the Pearson Fund for eligible clients.
- Major Giving and Philanthropy: Substantial one-off donations managed by a dedicated Philanthropy team, directed to specific programme areas including guide dogs, library, employment services, and capital projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Champion membership at $100/month or $1,200/year with updates, certificate, and event invitations |
| Subscription | Monthly | Ambassador membership at $200/month or $2,400/year with Champion benefits plus birthday card and website acknowledgement |
| Subscription | Monthly | Visionary membership at $400/month or $4,800/year with Champion and Ambassador benefits plus exclusive gift and Annual Report acknowledgement |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Pearson Fund subsidy provides 25% discount on Vision Store equipment orders for eligible Blind Low Vision NZ clients |
| Other | Annual | White cane provision at no cost to registered members (from 1 July 2025) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels12 records
Blind Low Vision NZ product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Blind Low Vision NZ provides comprehensive vision rehabilitation and support services for people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision across Aotearoa New Zealand. Core offerings include an IGDF-accredited guide dog breeding and training programme, an accessible library of 36,000+ titles in Braille, DAISY audio, and e-braille, adaptive technology training, mobility and daily living skills instruction, counselling, employment pathways, and community support — funded primarily through donations and delivered free of charge to eligible clients.
Product overview
Blind Low Vision NZ is New Zealand's leading provider of vision rehabilitation services offering a comprehensive portfolio of support for people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision across all life stages. The core service portfolio centres on five interconnected pillars: (1) Accessible Library with over 36,000 titles accessible via Alexa, EasyReader app, and Aurora Web Portal; (2) Guide Dog Services including IGDF-accredited breeding, training, and VLAD assistance dogs; (3) Adaptive Technology training and the Vision Store partnership with Vision Australia for equipment procurement; (4) Mobility and Daily Living Skills training for independent living; and (5) Employment and Youth Pathways with the Work Ready programme. Additional services include Emotional Support counselling, Community and Support networks (Telefriend, support groups), Sport and Leisure activities, Self-Advocacy resources, and the Know Your Rights Webinar Series. The organisation also provides the Kōrero client newsletter, Re:VISION podcast, and publishes the Clearing Our Way accessibility guidelines for built and digital environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Accessible Library A digital and physical library providing over 36,000 accessible titles in DAISY audio, Braille (UEB/Uncontracted English), and e-braille (BRF) formats. Accessible via Alexa smart speakers, the Dolphin EasyReader app on iOS and Android, and the Aurora Web Portal, with an additional 99,500 DAISY books accessible through the Accessible Books Consortium.
- Guide Dog Services Full-service IGDF-accredited guide dog programme covering selective breeding, the STEP puppy development programme, six-month intensive training, and placement of professionally trained guide dogs for people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision across New Zealand.
- Vision Loss Assistance Dogs (VLAD) A complementary assistance dog programme for clients whose needs are supported by a dog that helps with confidence, balance, public visibility, and mobility tasks but does not meet full guide dog working standards.
- Adaptive Technology Assessment, training, and ongoing telephone helpdesk support for adaptive technology including screen readers, screen magnifiers, electronic Braille devices, and built-in accessibility features on iOS, Android, and other platforms.
- Getting Around (Mobility Training) Mobility training covering white cane skills, public transport use, guiding techniques, and guide dog handling, delivered by Orientation and Mobility specialists to enable safe and independent navigation.
- Daily Living Skills Training and support for independent living including household organisation, meal preparation, Braille literacy, and use of assistive devices for everyday tasks.
- Community and Support Community connection services including Telefriend peer support, regional support groups, hobbies and activities, and volunteer-led programmes across New Zealand.
- Emotional Support
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 100 guide dog puppies bred per year at the Guide Dogs Breeding Centre, with approximately one-third successfully becoming working guide dogs
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Blind Low Vision NZ
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Blind Low Vision NZ technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Feature5 records
Blind Low Vision NZ partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Vision AustraliacoreBlind Low Vision NZ entered into a partnership with Vision Australia to provide a dedicated online webshop, the Vision Store, for New Zealand-based clients to purchase adaptive equipment and technology. The Vision Store operates at shop.visionaustralia.org.nz with NZD pricing inclusive of 15% GST, Pearson Fund subsidies for eligible clients, and a product range tailored for New Zealand customers.
- Royal CaninminorRoyal Canin is a proud supporter of Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs, providing sponsorship for the guide dog breeding and training programme. Displayed as 'Proudly supported by Royal Canin' on guide dog programme materials.
- SafewillminorSafewill, an Australia-based online Will-writing service with expertise in Australian and New Zealand law, partnered with Blind Low Vision NZ to offer online Wills at half price ($80) to supporters, friends, and family of the organisation. The partnership supports Blind Low Vision NZ's Gifts in Wills legacy giving programme.
- Parents of Vision Impaired NZ Inc (PVI)corePVI is a non-profit organisation of parents committed to supporting other parents of children who are blind or vision impaired (often with additional complications). Blind Low Vision NZ works closely with PVI to provide comprehensive services for children and families. PVI's mission is 'Supporting and Empowering Parents and Whānau'. Executive Officer: Rebekah Graham.
- Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ)coreBLENNZ is a national network of educational services for children and young people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision in New Zealand. Blind Low Vision NZ works closely with BLENNZ for the transition of students into adult services. Contact: 0800 BLENNZ (0800 253 669) or [email protected].
- Accessible Books ConsortiumcoreThe Accessible Books Consortium provides Blind Low Vision NZ library services access to 99,500 additional DAISY books. This is accessible via Alexa smart speakers and the library services, significantly expanding the accessible reading materials available to New Zealanders with print disabilities.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Blind Low Vision NZ competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind): CNIB is Canada's leading national organization serving people who are blind or partially sighted, delivering rehabilitation, accessible library services, and advocacy — a near-direct international parallel to BLVNZ's mandate and service breadth.
- Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB): RNIB is the UK's national sight loss charity, providing a directly comparable integrated portfolio of vision rehabilitation, advocacy, accessible information, and employment/technology support — the closest international counterpart to BLVNZ's national-charity model.
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB): NFB is the US's largest membership organization of the blind, focused on advocacy, education, and self-determination — comparable to BLVNZ as a national blindness charity with strong advocacy and member-driven service orientation.
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): AFB is a US national organization focused on advocacy, research, and accessible information for blind/low vision Americans — comparable to BLVNZ in its national non-profit disability mandate, though with a research/policy emphasis rather than direct service delivery.
- Sightsavers: Sightsavers is an international disability/eye-health NGO operating in low- and middle-income countries, focused on avoidable blindness and inclusive education — comparable to BLVNZ as a major eye-health/disability charity but with a global development remit.
Direct peers
- Vision Australia: Vision Australia is BLVNZ's explicit strategic partner (operating the Vision Store for NZ) and Australia's largest national blindness/low-vision provider, offering rehabilitation, employment, AT, guide dogs, and advocacy — directly mirroring BLVNZ's service model in a neighbouring market.
- Guide Dogs NSW/ACT: Guide Dogs NSW/ACT provides IGDF-style guide dog breeding, training, and mobility services across Australia — directly comparable to BLVNZ Guide Dogs in scope, accreditation profile, and end-to-end service model.
- Guide Dogs of America: Guide Dogs of America is a US-based IGDF-accredited guide dog school providing breeding, training, and client services — a direct functional peer to BLVNZ Guide Dogs in the international guide dog federation ecosystem.
Others
- Humanware: HumanWare is a global manufacturer of assistive technology for people who are blind or low vision (Braille displays, video magnifiers) — listed as a NZ supplier partner and directly comparable to BLVNZ's adaptive technology distribution and AT Helpdesk functions.
Regional players
- Perkins School for the Blind: Perkins is a US-based educational and service organization for the blind/deafblind providing rehabilitation and accessible literacy — comparable to BLVNZ's education-and-family, deafblind, and Braille literacy functions across the lifespan.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Blind Low Vision NZ social profiles
Digital presenceBlind Low Vision NZ compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Blind Low Vision NZ financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blind Low Vision NZ leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Blind Low Vision NZ funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blind Low Vision NZ M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Blind Low Vision NZ
What does Blind Low Vision NZ do?
Blind Low Vision NZ provides comprehensive vision rehabilitation and support services for people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision across Aotearoa New Zealand. Core offerings include an IGDF-accredited guide dog breeding and training programme, an accessible library of 36,000+ titles in Braille, DAISY audio, and e-braille, adaptive technology training, mobility and daily living skills instruction, counselling, employment pathways, and community support — funded primarily through donations and delivered free of charge to eligible clients.
Is Blind Low Vision NZ a public or private company?
Blind Low Vision NZ is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Blind Low Vision NZ founded?
Blind Low Vision NZ was founded in 1890. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Blind Low Vision NZ based?
Blind Low Vision NZ is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Blind Low Vision NZ make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are membership Programme (Your Impact / Tō Pāngā), trusts and Foundations, gifts in Wills (Legacies), guide Dog Sponsorship, equipment and Product Sales and major Giving and Philanthropy.
Who are Blind Low Vision NZ's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind), Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), National Federation of the Blind (NFB), American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and Sightsavers. Direct peers are Vision Australia, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and Guide Dogs of America. Humanware is listed as an others. Perkins School for the Blind is listed as a regional player.
Does Blind Low Vision NZ have an API?
No public API is recorded for Blind Low Vision NZ.
What industry is Blind Low Vision NZ in?
Blind Low Vision NZ's product category is Vision Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAKAKAJ, Low Vision Rehabilitation, with a secondary code of BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 3851.