New Zealand Hearing Industry Association
NZHIA is a professional organisation formed to ensure world class universal access to hearing health services and education is a right of every New Zealander. Representative of manufactuers and retailers of hearing health services NZHIA members are responsible for the testing, assessment and fitting of over 90% of the hearing devices used in New Zealand.
United by the goal that hearing loss is taken more seriously as a health priority, NZHIA works to better inform policy development; grow awareness of the value of the industry and provide a public voice on hearing related matters. Our mission is to see all New Zealanders with hearing loss and their families to live life to the fullest.
NZHIA works closely with government, other professional bodies in the sector and New Zealanders suffering from hearing loss.
NZHIA’s member organisations operate independently of each other on a daily basis.
ABOUT NZHIA DIRECTORS

Sue Wood
Chair
Sue is the independent chair of the New Zealand Hearing Industry Association. She currently serves on the board of the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) and is deputy chair of the Clinical Governance Board, National Service for Intestinal Failure for the Ministry of Health. She served as an independent director on the Priory Trust Board of St John for nine years and for three terms on the board of Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s National Museum. She is a former chair of the Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation Trust. Sue was the first woman to be elected president of a major political party in the 1980s and for 25 years was managing director of Sue Wood and Associates, a consultancy specializing in corporate communications and public affairs based in Wellington.

Dean Lawrie
Managing Director Bay Audiology and Dilworth Hearing
Dean is the Managing Director of Amplifon NZ Limited which is the parent of Bay Audiology and Dilworth Hearing and has led the team since 2014. Amplifon is the global leader in Audiology and Hearing Solutions, helping more people worldwide improve their hearing than any other organisation. As with all of the Amplifon team, Dean is passionate about helping every New Zealander experience the best hearing possible.
Prior to joining the audiology sector, Dean has held senior roles in Strategy, Growth, Business and Operations Leadership, in Ngai Tahu and Carter Holt Harvey and commenced his career as a Professional Engineer. Dean has also held roles as Director of companies, trusts and industry associations.

Ben Green
Managing Director Triton Hearing
Ben Green has spent 25+ years working in the technology sector in New Zealand, Asia and Europe. He has held a variety of leadership roles through his career in the IT and Telecommunications sector with companies such IBM, Microsoft and Vodafone. For the past 8 years Ben has been Board member of the Selwyn Foundation, a leader in Aged care service provision. In 2021 Selwyn Foundation became the largest charitable provider for vulnerable elderly though social impact investments made possible by its managed investment fund.
In 2022, Ben was appointed Managing Director of Triton Hearing, part of the Swiss Sonova Group, a global leader in innovative hearing care solutions. Triton Hearing is New Zealand’s second largest hearing healthcare provider.
He holds a Master of Commerce Degree and is also a Provisional Chartered Accountant with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and he is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.