NZ student sees cosmetic solution to Pacific blindness

Transcript

A New Zealand university student says she's hoping to make an impact on the prevention of blindness in the Pacific by using the sale of her brand of organic mascara to fund cataract surgery.

Eighteen year old Auckland University of Technology's Bonnie Howland says support from the Live the Dream Project has helped her establish her own company called Indigo and Iris and it's first product is Mascara for Sight which aims to restore vision using the one for one charity model.

Jenny Meyer asked Ms Howland what inspired her.

BONNIE HOWLAND: I was inspired to create Indigo and Iris from a trip to the Pacific Islands last year in July where I learnt of a story of a solo mother who had become blind due to cataracts and her daughter had to drop out of primary school to take care of her.

JENNY MEYER: So really was that the first time that you had thought about how big an issue blindness is in the Pacific region?

BH: Yes, that was my first encounter with it. So that was the first time I realised what a big issue it was really. Because it's not just the person who becomes blind who is affected, it's the whole community. And they don't just lose their sight, they lose their independence.

JM: And so how did you come to think about mascara as being a useful tool to help people restore their vision?

BH: It's really a commercial solution to a social problem. The reason I thought of mascara is because it's just the essential beauty item for most women in New Zealand and it's such a feminine beautiful product and you're using on your eyes every day. And when you're looking into the mirror putting on your mascara, you realise how important sight is, and what a precious gift it is.

JM: How have you been supported by AUT where you're studying and the people around you, the project I think you're involved with "Live the Dream", how have you been supported in your quest with Indigo and Iris?

BH: Live the Dream has been the biggest supporter of Indigo and Iris. So when I applied to Live the Dream ten weeks ago, that's basically when Indigo and Iris started. And they just guide you along the way and help you make critical decisions that will make or break your business and your company. And really every decision is made in pursuit of having maximum impact in the Pacific Islands.

JM: Is it Fred Hollows that you're thinking of connecting up with?

BH: Yes.

JM: And where are things at there? Have you signed any kind of contract or deal with them at all?

BH: Ahh, we've met with the Fred Hollows Foundation and they really love Indigo and Iris and they're really excited about this opportunity. We haven't signed anything and no partnership has been formally agreed but it's still early days and I'm really excited for the beginning of our relationship.

JM: And your product, the mascara, that's an organic compound is it? When are you planning to launch that onto the New Zealand market or a bigger market, I don't know?

BH: Yeah, so Mascara for Sight is organic, vegan and has lots of nourishing Pacific Island coconut oils et cetera and lots of essential vitamins. And I'm really excited for the launch. It will be this year, hopefully in the next few months. But I want it to be of the highest standard right from environmentally friendly and high quality packaging, you know through to the brush and the formula, I want everything to be really, really well done.

JM: Mmm, and I guess safe, or course, first do no harm?

BH: Yes, of course. And that's the point of Mascara for Sight is that it's really high quality but also it's safe to use on your eyes.

JM: You said you use coconut oil in the mascara product, where do you source that from?

BH: Right now it's being sourced from Samoa. I haven't been to Samoa but I've seen lots of pictures of the people who make it and it looks really beautiful.

Bonnie Howland says she's really excited about helping people in the Pacific regain their sight and independence.