MEET OUR TEAM.
At Central Otago Optical, it is all about the people. Meet our passionate team of eye care specialists and find out what they can do for you.
Hunter Hill
Optometrist and Practice Director
BOptom (Hons) TPA CAA
Hunter graduated in 2003, took ownership of Central Otago Optical in 2006 and opened the Cromwell practice in 2009. His highly professional approach and his drive to innovate means that you can always be assured of the best and most up-to-date eye care. He prides himself on being an early adopter and continually works to stay at the forefront of technology.
Hunter has experience in all facets of optometry, but is particularly interested in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma, tricky contact lens fitting, and dry eye treatment. He has led the charge on many fronts locally, including the introduction of specialised glaucoma detection equipment and being the first to offer Orthokeratology treatment in the region. Hunter completed further study at Dunedin Eye Hospital in 2017 to become endorsed to independently manage glaucoma locally. Hunter is easy-going and a tiny bit hilarious – so expect to leave his office with a grin on your face.
When not gazing into people’s eyes, Hunter enjoys rock climbing, skiing, playing the guitar and singing. He currently lives in Alexandra with his wife, Katie, their twins Chloe and Zac, and their newest addition to the family - Jake
Nikki Livingstone
Optometrist
BOptom CertOcTher(ACO)
Nikki is a therapeutically qualified optometrist who has been living and working in Central Otago since 2008. After graduating in 1995, she has worked in a wide variety of practice settings around New Zealand where she found her passion for Community Optometry.
Nikki has done volunteer work in the Pacific Islands, and continues to donate her time to various community organisations. With three young boys at home, Nikki is now actively involved in the school committee and the Scouts.
Katie Hill
Optometrist
B.Optom (Hons), TPA, CAA, ACBO Member
Katie obtained her Bachelor of Optometry degree from the University of Auckland in 2012 and worked in Invercargill, Queenstown and Wanaka before starting at Central Otago Optical in 2015. Katie prides herself on her thorough eye examinations and feels that patient education is an important part of the consultation, so takes the time to explain the results and discuss your options with you.
​
Katie has a special interest in working with children, and in early 2018 completed the Practical Vision Therapy Programme through the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists. Subsequently, we set up our Behavioural Optometry testing and Vision Therapy programme so we can better serve the needs of our patients, especially our littlies!
Katie is also the only optometrist registered to perform CAA eye examinations in this area.
​
In her free time Katie enjoys spending time with her husband Hunter and their family - twins Chloe and Zac, and their youngest Jake, as well as skiing, rock climbing and mountain biking.
Jessica Anderson
Practice Director
Jess has been working in optometry since 2003 and as such is highly experienced and knowledgable in optics. She joined the Central Otago Optical team in 2011, and is part owner of the practice alongside Hunter.
Jess has a passion for finding the perfect frame and lenses for every person she consults with to give them their own individual look. She personally does all the frame buying for Central Optical and only selects frames that are of the highest quality and have a point of difference.
But Jess isn’t interested in looks alone. She goes on training courses on a yearly basis to help her keep up-to-date with new lens options and technology in order to offer only the best to her patients. Jess is also a busy mum of two boys.
Taryn Johnn
Optometrist
B.Optom (UKZN) CAS (SA) Cert OcTher (ACO)
Taryn is passionate about eye care and providing her patients the best experience in looking after their vision and eye health. She has over 20 years experience as an Optometrist. She specialises as a Behavioural Optometrist and her focus is on Children's Vision and the impact that vision has on their ability to learn and thrive, as well as Binocular Vision, Vision Therapy and Post Concussion Vision Syndrome. She is also a qualified Irlen Screener and Diagnostician.
Taryn originally qualified as an Optometrist in South Africa in 1999 and completed a Diagnostic Skills post graduate diploma in 2003.
She qualified to work in Australia and New Zealand in 2010 by completing the OCANZ Examinations. Taryn worked in Australia, in Melbourne and Perth, until moving to New Zealand in 2017. She has also completed her Ocular Therapeutics qualification that allows for the prescribing of medication for ocular conditions.
Taryn loves living in the South Island and in her spare time enjoys landscape photography, walks in nature and curling up on the couch with the cat and a good book.