Equity and Governance: 75 Years of Blindness Advocacy in New Zealand, 1945–2020

Equity and Governance picks up from where Greg Newbold’s previous book, Quest for Equity, left off, and covers the Association of Blind Citizens’ history since 1995. After briefly reviewing the Association’s first 50 years (1945–1995), the book covers the group’s convoluted and eventful history over the subsequent 25 years. The book focuses on what is called the governance revolution, which resulted in consumer-controlled governance of the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind’s board of trustees in 2002. Gaining control over board composition, however, did not, contrary to the expectations of many, end the conflicts between the Association and the Foundation. In fact, in the 18 years since the passage of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act 2002, although relations have for the most part been smooth, tensions at times have been as trying as they were before the passage of the Act. The last 25 years has seen as much activity and passion from within the Association of Blind Citizens as at any time in its history and significant developments have occurred. This book chronicles the intricate matrix of activities and campaigns engaged in by the Association since its 50th Jubilee in 1995.