Executive Council
Katrin Hobson
President,
My name is Katrin Hobson and I have been working in the Audiology field since 1999. I originally qualified in Germany and, after working there for five years, I moved to New Zealand for my OE and never left. Since than I have completed my Master in Audiology at the University of Canterbury and, after working for a family business for the past 12 years, and Amplifon from 2018 to 2022. I now work for myself as a contractor, trading as Hobson Audiology Consultancy since May 2022.
I have been heavily involved in several committees over the years including the Conference Committee, Standards and Scope of Practice Committee as well the Membership, Examination and Supervision Committee. I have been a CCC support person in the past and I am currently the lead OSCE examiner. I am very passionate about Audiology and helping people with hearing loss as well as doing my best to make this society the best it can be. I love learning and enjoy working alongside other passionate colleagues that care about audiology and the hearing impaired community in New Zealand.
Chloe Allen
Vice President,
Kia ora koutou, ko Chloe Allen tōku ingoa.
I was drawn to audiology as a family member has bilateral cochlear implants. I have been working as an MNZAS CCC audiologist for over ten years. I was an NZAS Executive Council member in 2016/2017 and then Treasurer for four years (2021-2025).
I have worked in private audiology clinics and managed clinics for several years. More recently I have worked at various hospitals with complex adult and paediatric populations. I hold a paediatric certification (VRA).
Career highlights have included delivering hearing care with a team in Samoa and locally at marae health expo days.
It is a privilege to lead NZAS through the next stage of growth and development, alongside the new Executive Director and the Executive Council, progressing the many projects currently underway.
I am committed to fostering collaboration and strongly support the development of Pacific partnerships, enhancing shared knowledge, cultural connection and regional leadership. I am also passionate about supporting opportunities for leadership and advanced practice development across the profession.
I am currently locuming in public and private sectors. I am on the board of Northern Cochlear Implant Trust and Pindrop Foundation.
Abigail (Abby) Dwyer
Treasurer,
Kia ora koutou, ko Abby toku ingoa. I am a University of Canterbury graduate from the class of 2016. I work privately in my own clinic, Hobsonville Hearing, with both adults and children and am a second year EC member on the New Zealand Audiological Society.
Fabian Straube
Councillor,
Natalie Price
Councillor,
Kia ora, ko Natalie tōku ingoa, nō Whangārei ahau. I am a senior/ advanced audiologist at Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau (formerly Northland DHB). I hold paediatric certifications in Visual Reinforcement Audiometry, Auditory Brainstem Response testing, and Habilitation. My daily work is hugely diverse, conducting diagnostic and re/habilitation services for infants, children and adults across inpatient and outpatient settings. I enjoy working in a multidisciplinary way with related services, including ORL/ENT and Paediatrics.
Ko Whangārei tōku turangawaewae, and I work in the hospital in which I was born (and until recently, even with the doctor who delivered me!) I have a keen interest in public health and a strong sense of responsibility to the people of my region. This is a major factor in my dedication to my work. I am a reo Māori learner and enjoy using and learning the language and find this a particularly rewarding aspect of my clinical work. I am passionate about regional access to audiological care, increasing cultural competency, resources and representation within the audiology profession.
I am a full Audiologist Member of the New Zealand Audiological Society. At the 2023 NZAS AGM, I was elected as an executive council member. I look forward to contributing to the governance of our professional society.
Simon Melville
Councillor,
Simon has been extremely passionate about the field of Audiology since undertaking his Masters in Audiology in the early 1990s. He has been fortunate to work across both private and public practice settings in the profession both here in NZ and abroad working across all age groups from paediatrics to seniors (and everything in between!) In his early years in the profession he was lucky to work alongside (and be mentored) by some strong characters with a plethora of skills that exposed him very early on to key areas of diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology, including Cochlear and BAHA implants. Today Simon is in a senior leadership and ownership role at Audiology South (a privately owned, independent audiology practice based in the lower South Island). He is lucky and proud to have the support of 35 plus amazing work colleagues each workday to help lighten the load!
Simon looks forward to the challenge the Presidency role offers along with the chance to give back and hopefully add some value to a society and profession which have offered him so much. Simon looks forward to working closely with the Chief Executive, the Exec team and the society as a whole with all the challenges and opportunities that 2025/2026 may bring.
Dr Michelle Pokorny
Councillor,
I am a NZ audiologist with a strong passion for public health service with a focus on equity of access to care and service redevelopment. Over my career I have managed and led numerous projects covering a range of fields from clinical assessment of new graduates (development of the NZAS CCC examination); UNHSEIP (developed and implemented the first NBHS at Waikato DHB; advisor on MoH implementation advisory group); expert advisor for ACC; implementation of a community-based adult hearing needs triage service; review of diagnosis and management of APD in the public health sector (Aus); to my current area of expertise: extended scopes of practice.
I have completed a PhD (extended scope audiology-led services in ENT outpatient services) through the University of Queensland and I have published several papers on this topic. I present regularly at national and international conferences. I am currently involved in research investigating engagement with ORL services, middle ear disease and Artificial Intelligence technologies. I am currently employed at Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau as an advanced audiology practitioner, and hold an honorarary lecturer title through University of Auckland.
Latasi Koro
Councillor,
Ben Marshall
Councillor,
Tare Lowe
Councillor - Tangata Whenua,
Ko Ngāi Tahu tēnei, e mihi nei.
I whānau mai ahau ī Ōtepoti
I tipu ake ahau ki te taha o te Manuherikia engari, e noho ana au ki Ōtautahi ināianei
Ko Tare tōku ingoa.
I whakapapa to Ngāi Tahu, and am originally from Dunedin but grew up in Central Otago. I am full MNZAS audiologist member working full time for Audika in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
I currently sit on the NZAS executive council as the Tangata Whenua councillor
