Sunday 16 November

Atearoa New Zealand is a small island nation at the bottom of the South Pacific, with a population of 5 million, and the largest Polynesian population in the world.15% identify as M aori, and 7% as Pacific Peoples, and the spectrum of inherited eye disease encountered in this population varies from that seen in those identifying as NZ European.The M aori people of New Zealand were the first inhabitants, with their arrival from Eastern Polynesia (Cook Islands, Tahiti, Hawai'i) estimated to occur around the year 1280.Travel of unique DNA variants by waka through the Pacific, and an admixture from explorers, trade ships and early settlers have resulted in a unique and enriched genetic signature for inherited eye disease in some of these small isolate communities.This talk will provide an overview of the spectrum of Inherited eye diseases observed in the New Zealand population, specifically discussing the findings and genetic associations seen in the New Zealand M aori and Pacific Peoples, based on study data, publications and observations.