For the last 50 years, as the Deafness Research Foundation, we have supported research into deafness and hearing disorders; research that has proved both innovative and transformative for clinical otology practice in New Zealand.
Led by pioneering surgeon, Sir Patrick Eidsdell Moore, and together with Dr Bruce Cornish and Dr Ron Goodey, the Deafness Research Foundation pioneered both clinical and experimental research into treatment of middle ear disease in New Zealand over many years.
The Foundation also introduced mobile ear clinics to treat ear disease in children. These clinics took the ‘hospital to the children’ and became the template of the mobile ear clinics which are now operated by District Health Boards throughout the country. Alongside this has been support for career development of many young scientists and clinicians through scholarships, fellowships and travel grants.
The Hearing Research Foundation of NZ (HRF) evolved through a decision by the trustees of the Deafness Research Foundation (Incorporated) (DRF) to establish a new and modernised entity through which to conduct and continue its dedication to hearing research so as to reduce the disability and disadvantages associated with hearing impairment.
The HRF established in 2014 now assumes the function and role associated with hearing research in New Zealand, whilst the DRF, an incorporated society established in 1968 by the late Sir Patrick Eisdell Moore, remains in existence in the meantime.
HRF Board of Trustees
Chris is employed by Perpetual Guardian as Philanthropy Manager, and has held a number of management positions prior to this. Chris brings to the Board over 35 years of experience in the trustee and financial sector. He is the current chair of the Auckland City Mission Foundation and holds trustee and Board appointments on a number of other charitable and not-for profit organisations.
David is an Assurance Partner at BDO Auckland, and current chairman of BDO New Zealand. He has over 31 years accounting and finance experience with a client portfolio comprised predominately of mid-market entities operating in a varied industry and sector base including entrepreneurial owned and not-for-profits. He is also a Director of the Auckland Catholic Diocese and represents the Hearing Research Foundation on the Oversight Board of the Eisdell Moore Centre.
Di has extensive senior management and governance experience in the tertiary education, science and health sectors. She is a Director of the Bragato Research Institute and Deputy Chair of the NZ Institute of Economic Research, and serves as a member of the governance boards of various science based organisations. Di is also a Trustee for at least three not-for-profit foundations and was appointed to the New Zealand Order of Merit as an Officer and a Companion for her services to education, science, business and women.
Simon is a Judge of the High Court of New Zealand and President of the Hearing Research Foundation. His father, Sir Patrick Eisdell Moore founded the organisation in the mid-1960s and was its President for many years before the appointment of Dr Ron Goodey. Prior to his appointment to the High Court, Simon was the Crown Solicitor for Auckland and the Chairman of Partners of the Auckland law of Meredith Connell. He is the Chairman of the Board of Governors of King’s School, President of the New Zealand Legal Research Foundation and Deputy Master of The Pakuranga Hunt.
Bill became interested in helping people with hearing loss during his ORL surgery training in the UK. Post 1972, he studied in the US and his exposure to cochlear implant surgery there, was furthered once he was back in NZ, by Sir Patrick Eisdell-Moore’s development of a Cochlear Implant programme. He became a trustee of the DRF in 1985 and along with his work as the ORL clincial director for the Waitemata DHB, has been involved in improving the hearing of New Zealanders for the last five decades.
Dr Rachelle Love is of Ngāpuhi and Te Arawa descent. She is an ENT Surgeon practicing in Ōtautahi Christchurch. After qualifying as a surgeon she undertook further fellowship training in Sleep Surgery. Within the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, she is an elected member of the National Board, the Māori Health Advisory Group and is the Cultural Advisor to the Otolaryngology (ENT) Training Board. She is also a member of the Specialist Council of the New Zealand Medical Association and has been made a member of the NZ Medical Council. Her research interests are in Māori health, including hearing loss and ear health in Māori, and in sleep surgery, where she is part of a multi-national research group.