Meet Our Team
DAVE
Optometrist – B.Optom, Glaucoma Specialist, TPA
I was born and raised in Auckland. Now you can’t hold that against me. We don’t choose where we’re born and in my defence I did leave Auckland as soon as I had my qualification!
We were fortunate enough to have 12 years working in Napier, before shifting to the steampunk capital of the world.
Oamaru is the place to be! We have a great wee place to work with an awesome team and the most wonderful customers we could wish for.
| Favourite frame range: | Good Gryf – I’m wearing them |
| Signature dish: | Changes all the time depending on what’s in the fridge/pantry/garden |
| Best thing about working at Oamaru Eyecare: | Spending time with Oamaruvians |
| Favourite optical tool: | Golf club spud – there might be prizes for the best guess at what one of those is for! |
| Sunglasses worn: | Maui Jim |
| Favourite Book: | The Hobbit, although I Am Pilgrim has to be right up there |
| Favourite holiday spot: | Wanaka in winter, or summer, or autumn, or spring |
| Best thing about the weekend: | Having friends over and forcing them to watch The Hobbit |
| Most disliked food: | Nope, can’t think of anything |
| Dream destination: | Any Indian Restaurant |
| Favourite Movie: | Wayne’s world. Party time, excellent! |
| Hidden Talent: | I can hand-write backwards (mirror-write). So useful… |
MIN HEE
Optometrist – B.Optom (Hons), TPA
Hi, I’m Min Hee – two words, but they go together as my first name. I don’t mind the ‘H’ being silent (as one name is much easier for everyone!).
As you might guess from my name, I’m originally from South Korea, but I’ve been lucky to call beautiful Aotearoa home since I was young.
I’ve always had a passion for healthcare, and I’m so excited to be living that out in the world of optometry. I’m thrilled to be part of the amazing team here at Oamaru Eyecare and can’t wait to help you see the world more clearly ✨.
| Favourite frame range: | Blackfin (SO light) |
| Signature dish: | Any noodles, any time |
| Best thing about working at Oamaru Eyecare: | The people – so lovely! |
| Favourite optical tool: | Gland expressors (so satisfying to see… oops, I meant, great for dry eye relief!) |
| Sunglasses worn: | Maui Jim |
| Favourite holiday spot: | Queenstown |
| Best thing about the weekend: | Sleeping in with no alarm |
| Signature perfume: | La Tulipe |
| Dream destination: | Greece |
| Favourite Movie: | About Time |
| First pets name: | Duri – very cute fluffy Pomeranian |
DEB
Reception
Married to Dave and am blessed to be mum to three amazing boys and two cute dogs. I love to eat and talk (not at the same time) so anything that involves friends, food and chat will find me in my happy place.
| Favourite frame range: | Dutz from Netherlands. Love the colours and so comfortable |
| Signature dish: | I’ve been told I’m the dessert queen |
| Best thing about working at Oamaru Eyecare: | Spending time talking with our lovely customers |
| Favourite optical tool: | The boot |
| Exercise you enjoy: | I enjoy running although I never think so at the time |
| First pet’s name: | Emma – a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Those big brown eyes melted my heart! |
| Favourite holiday spot: | Wanaka |
| Place you would like to visit: | Would love to go to Italy |
| First concert attended: | Dave dragged me to U2. |
| Dream destination: | Sun, sand and warmth |
| Favourite Movie: | Love chick flicks and action movies |
COURTNEY
Practice Lead & Dispensing Optician (RDONZ)
Hi I’m Courtney. I’m a qualified and registered Dispensing Optician and have been practicing for over a decade now. I completed my training in Palmerston North, worked at a behavioural optometry practice in Christchurch and then relocated to Oamaru with my husband (originally an Oamaru man) in 2018.
I recently stepped down from the role of President on the Association of Dispensing Opticians NZ, I don’t hate Monday’s and I’m a self confessed optics nerd – I’m just one of those annoying people that loves their job! When I’m not chasing our wee boy around or advocating for my profession you can find me cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
| Favourite frame range: | Woody’s have my eye at the moment! |
| Signature dish: | Tuscan beef gnocchi |
| Best thing about working at Oamaru Eyecare: |
That all our staff want the best for everyone that walks in the door |
| Favourite optical tool: | The fish |
| Dream destination: | Japan – Nintendo world! |
| Sunglasses worn: | Maui Jim |
| Signature perfume: | Ralph Lauren Romance |
| Favourite Book: | The Midnight Library |
| First concert attended: | Tash Sultana |
| Favourite holiday spot: | Bay of Islands |
| Best thing about the weekend: | Sunday morning pancakes |
| Favourite Movie: | All the Miyazaki’s |
KATE
Dispensing Optician (RDONZ)
I am a qualified and registered Dispensing Optician. I am a North Otago girl through and through, who lives with my husband, our daughter and two dogs. I love going camping at Lake Ruataniwha and I enjoy a vino in my hand. I enjoy experimenting in our kitchen, when I’m not playing in our garden. I will do my best to find the best face accessory for you and will ensure you leave with a smile on your dial.
| Favourite frame range: | Really enjoying the Good Gryf range at the moment |
| Signature dish: | Fresh pasta dish |
| Best thing about working at Oamaru Eyecare: |
The staff, feels like my second family |
| Favourite optical tool: | Has to be our Optometrist Dave 😊 |
| Dream destination: | Anywhere warm |
| Sunglasses worn: | Definitely Maui Jims |
| Favourite Book: | Fifty Shades of Grey 😊 |
| First concert attended: | I think it was Savage Garden back in the 90s |
| Hidden Talent: | I can Juggle |
| Best thing about the weekend: | Spending time with my family |
| Most disliked food: | Offal- yuck! |
| First pet’s name: | Would have been our cat Sylvester |
| Favourite piece of optical equipment: |
Focimeter |
| Favourite Movie: | Anything action with Dwyane (the ROCK) Johnson in it |
JO-ANN
Reception
I am a born & bred Oamaru girl, married to a Five Forks farmer, & we have 2 adult children. I appreciate being part of the Oamaru Eyecare team, meeting all the interesting & wonderful people that come through the door, as I do like a good chat. When I’m not in uniform, I love nothing more than getting out on the farm or enjoying a good drop with family and friends
| Favourite frame range: | Good Gryf |
| Signature dish: | I’m a farmers wife so Roast Lamb |
| Best thing about working at Oamaru Eyecare: |
Definitely the people |
| Favourite optical tool: | The ‘Red Fish’ |
| Dream destination: | To see the final at Roland Garros |
| Sunglasses worn: | Goes without saying Maui Jim |
| Favourite holiday spot: | Melbourne – Australian Open Tennis |
| Best thing about the weekend: | Might get a sleep in |
| Most disliked food: | Seafood |
| Favourite Movie: | Too many to list |
| Hidden Talent: | I can drive a digger, forklift and a tractor. |
ELIE
Optical Assistant
Hi my name is Elie. I was born and raised in a small country town in Australia called Orange (no oranges actually grow there). My family and I moved to New Zealand (Tauranga) over 11 years ago and relocated to beautiful Oamaru in 2024. Although you may hear me complaining about not getting proper summers we are very much enjoying our life in Oamaru.
The wild world of Optics was very new to me before I started working at Oamaru Eyecare. I have been very fortunate to have very passionate, incredible colleagues to help my love of optics grow. I look forward to helping you pick the perfect frame that makes you feel your most confident self!
| Favourite frame range: | I am loving the new tree brand at the moment |
| Signature dish: | Ragu |
| Best thing about working at Oamaru Eyecare: |
Meeting new people and of course my colleges (work whanau) |
| Favourite movie: | Pride and Prejudice (2005 make of course) |
| Dream destination: | Ireland, because of P.s I love you |
| Sunglasses worn: | Maui Jim |
| Favourite Book: | P.S I love you |
| Best thing about the weekend: | Spending time with my little whanau |