Petra Hewitt   RDONZ
Dispensing Optician and Business Partner
I decided to follow in my fathers and grandfathers footsteps in 1993 when I started my apprenticeship as Dispensing Optician. I remember as a child always loving to watch my father and grandfather at work. I feel very passionate about the optics industry and love all aspects of it . I enjoy keeping up with the technical side of optics such as the forever changing lens technology. I enjoy interacting with my customers and being able to find the perfect solution for each client.

The wide variety of people that come to Orewa Optics always stimulates me and I love finding the right lens and frame choice for them. My motto is: “We are all individuals and one size does NOT fit all”.  Attention to detail in all aspects of this industry is something I have inherited from my father who was and still is an amazing teacher.

When I purchased Orewa Optics from my parents in 2007 I knew I had large shoes to fill. I thrive to be as thorough and accurate as my father and build on the business acumen of my mother. I will always look to them for advice and guidance.

I have a very supportive husband who spends many hours listening to me talking about the industry I love and over the years he has picked up a lot of “Optical terminology”. Having a business degree, he is very handy to have around and I have learned a lot from him. My two lovely children are growing up way too fast and even though they are still young they are already showing interest in the optics industry - so watch this space, the 4th generation may be in the making. In our spare time we enjoy cycling, going for walks, tramping and skiing.

I am passionate about providing good vision for my patients. I regularly participate in continuing education in all aspects of optometry and completed a Fellowship in Behavioural Optometry in 2008. This has supported my major interest in children’s vision and visually related learning problems, lazy eyes, stroke and brain injuries and my involvement with the Special Olympics.

A developing field I am very enthusiastic about is Ortho-K ,an exciting new technology using overnight wear of contact lenses to correct and control myopia (shortsightedness). I have attended international conferences in Ortho-K and am excited with the potential it offers my patients.

Out of work I practice yoga, ride motorcycles, chair a school board and enjoy science and music. My wife and I have three grown daughters (all with good eyesight) now pursuing their own studies.

 

Helen Heyns  B.Optom(SA) CSA(SA) OCANZ Optometrist I qualified as an optometrist in South Africa in 1995 and have been in independent practice since then. I have completed a Certificate of Advanced Study, advanced contact lens fitting and business management diploma. In 2003 I did my OCANZ conversion in Australia, this allows me to practice in New Zealand or Australia. As such, my family and I chose to move to New Zealand in 2009. We love exploring our beautiful new country, our weekends are spent enjoying the amazing beaches and local playgrounds.

I enjoy the challenges of optometry and love finding the perfect solution for my patients. I also enjoy working at Orewa Optics as they have high ethics, fantastic standards and are a fun team.

 

Logan Cook Optometrist

Guenther Lammer RDONZ
Retired Dispensing Optician
I was 15 years of age when I started my Apprenticeship as a Dispensing Optician. in my fathers Optical Shop in Austria. My father ensured that I mastered good people skills as well as outstanding workmanship and optical knowledge in this wide field of optics. As a Master Optician, I immigrated to New Zealand with my wife and two children. Shortly after arriving my wife and I started Orewa Optics in 1987.

I have always focused (and still do) on the right combination of frames and lenses for each individual person and their specific needs. I also regard the adjustment and fitting of a frame to each individual of high importance. People often say they have never had their glasses adjusted with such accuracy .

Over 16 years ago, my daughter Petra decided to follow me in my footsteps learning the trade to perfection, for which I am very proud of. My wife and I decided it was time to spend more time on our hobbies like cycling, tramping and exploring New Zealand in our “fifth-wheeler”. It was comforting to know Petra was there to take over and continue with Orewa Optics, knowing she would carry on focusing on the same high quality and standard our customers were accustomed to. After 45 Years in the industry I now enjoy coming to work when required.

Angela Mitchell, B.Sc, RDONZ
Dispensing Optician
People are often surprised by how long I have been in the optical industry- over 20 years! Admittedly some of that time has been while studying and having my two beautiful girls. But you know you have been in this game for a while when you can remember selling the current “retro” styles the first time around!

Like the rest of the team here, I am passionate about all things glasses and great customer service. I take great pride and satisfaction in seeing our clients walk out with the best glasses to suit their needs. Having worn glasses myself since a child, I now really enjoy having a number of pairs to choose from, but whenever I get a new pair I have to get an outfit to match. Luckily shopping is another passion-however gardening is not.

Marilynn Gerrard
I have been in the optical industry since 1987 and with Orewa Optics since 2004. During this time I have done many courses relating to the industry. These include the Caring for Customers course. I have always loved working in the optical environment as I enjoy meeting new people and I find it rewarding to see our customers really happy with their fabulous new glasses.
I am very lucky to work with such a great team that have the same passion for the industry as me.

I have been married to Mike for 38 years and we have three adult children, one daughter and two sons. We are also blessed with four gorgeous grandchildren, so as you can imagine we are kept fairly busy.
 

Sam Bicknell
Coming from a Pharmacy background, I am really enjoying the change to the optical industry. I love working with all customers young and old, and pride myself on customer satisfaction. I thoroughly enjoy seeing our customers leave with a smile and their great new glasses. The team we have here at Orewa Optics makes it a pleasant and happy place to work.
Outside of work, most of my spare time is taken up by the love of my life... Ziggy, my little Jack Russell, who thinks he is a Rottweiler in a Jack Russell's body; and the rest in spending time with all my great family and friends.