Abstract
The New Zealand Government is currently deliberating over the 2026 Health Budget, yet investing in eye care services remains largely overlooked. Unlike many high-income countries, Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) has very little public funding for routine eye care, creating significant cost barriers for our population, especially Māori, Pacific Peoples, and low-income families. Recent research indicates that investing just 1.2% of the NZ health budget could fund more than two million eye examinations and more than 60,000 spectacles each year. This investment would promote healthy vision, reduce inequities, and deliver long-term economic benefits from reduced injuries, improved mental wellbeing, and stronger workforce participation.