ISSUE/NGĀ TAKE 44 75 YEARS communication 2021

Commemorating 75 years of advocacy and member service Haere mai Annette Rotherham, President Rukingi Haupapa, Kaumatua

Ko te kai o te rangatira ko te kōrero Leaders lead through communication Ko te tohu o te rangatira ko te manaaki Leaders exhibit by helping others Ko te mahi o te rangatira ko te whakakōtahi i te iwi Leaders unite the people

By Bishop Manuhuia Bennett, gifted by Matua Rukingi Haupapa

Haere mai, welcome to It has been really enjoyable digging into with strong evidence based practice, the archives and finding our history and ethical standards and strong cultural this special edition of timeline with so much change in scope values. The NZSTA has grown into a Communication Matters where of practice over this time. The role of thriving and stable organisation. We are we celebrate 75 years of the speech-language therapy has grown recognised and respected nationally immensely. We are a rich and diverse and internationally due to the mahi of Speech-language profession working in partnership in our members and to those who have Therapists’ Association. education settings, health settings, volunteered to be in leadership and communities, courts, homes, with service roles over these past 75 years. In this edition we hear from many people whānau and individuals, to lead full lives Thank you to all those who have gone who have shaped our profession over and make the most of their abilities. Our before us, who have set the path and the 75 years. Just like in this beautiful future is dynamic and there is challenge shone the light on the direction we need whakatauki, we look right back to when ahead of us, ensuring we continue to go. Marian Saunders formed the Association in as a profession to be seen and heard. • 1946. We touch on all those who have led We must continue to meet the needs He waka eke noa and served the profession since, and those of the people of Aotearoa who have We are all in the waka together who shaped us into who we are today. communication and swallowing needs, Annette and Rukingi

2 • Communication Matters Cover: Rawiri Paratene at his show Peter Paka Paratene. Photo credit: Amarbir Singh. YEARS Look who is turning 75! Siobhan Molloy, Executive Director

Be part of NZSTA celebrating our achievements over Provide feedback and photos 75 years by: for the NZSTA Time capsule

Share your favourite Organise a celebratory event in reminiscences on social media your region #NZSTA-75years

NZSTA time capsule In celebration of our 75th birthday, • 2021 Speech-language Therapy Is there anything missing? the NZSTA Board will put together Awareness week poster Tell me at executivedirector@ a time capsule to preserve a slice of • 2021 publications of Speech, speechtherapy.org.nz today for tomorrow’s members. The Language and Hearing, NZSTA’s The Board will seal the capsule at their items that we will be including are: official journal first meeting in 2022. The intention • 2021 list of NZSTA members • 2021 conference programme: is the capsule can be opened at our • Photos to commemorate NZSTA Aoraki Iho Ake: Grounded – centenary in 2046. activities this year – please send Aspiring – Connected in any you have and caption and • 2021 NZSTA Board minutes notate who is who • 2021 area meeting minutes • 2021 publications of • 2021 NZSTA Bulletin Communication Matters including communications to members this commemorative edition • 2021 NZSTA annual report and audited financial statement. Communication Matters • 3 YEARS NZSTA happenings Some of our recent Association happenings at a glance...

ONGOING ONGOING ONGOING

Position Statements NZSTA Consumer group Board meetings Statement on the rapid prompting 14 May – Focus on shared 28 June – Hosted at the method published on web site. decision making and capacity. – a great opportunity to have a walk Other position statements in 31 May/5–2 June – Speech around the conference Venue. production: therapy assistants and Pathology Australia virtual laryngectomy – close to completion. conference attended by Annette 19 July – AGM planning. Paediatric fluency, cleft palate and Rotherham, NZSTA president. AAC are now in development. Some fantastic keynotes exploring the future of the 25–27 profession, the ways to become JULY 11 JUNE more global and address many influences such as colonisation, that are a barrier to inclusion. Māori SLT Hui At Te Kuirau Marae, Rotorua. International 23 JUNE Communication Project Zoom meeting for strategic 29–31 AUGUST planning group – NZSTA represented by Annette Allied Health Aotearoa Rotherham and Siobhan Molloy. New Zealand AHANZ meeting and launch Aoraki Iho Ake: Grounded – of ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ at Aspiring – Connected the Great Hall in Parliament At the University of Canterbury. – advocacy strategy for Allied Health in Aotearoa – unfortunately postponed due to Level 2 announcement.

4 • Communication Matters YEARS What’s coming up…

AUGUST 20–24 SEP–NOV AUG

NZSTA Area Meetings IALP 2023 NZSTA Board Meeting 16 August – Otago area The venue – Aotea Centre, 27 September – in Auckland Auckland is booked and and a welcome to new Board 18 August – Waikato/BOP area registrations will open in mid members. 18 August – Canterbury 2022. Save the date: 29 November – venue TBC. 20–24 August 2023. 19 August – Auckland area 20 August – Wellington area 25 August – Central area 27 SEP – NOV 3 OCT

AUGUST

Speech-language Therapy NZSTA Area Meetings Awareness Week 8 November – Wellington area This year’s theme is 10 November – Central area 70th annual general meeting highlighting one of our values – An opportunity to celebrate Rangatiratanga – Share 11 November – Otago area NZSTA reaching 75 years since our expertise in the field of 17 November – Waikato/ its establishment in August 1946. communication and swallowing. Bay of Plenty area Rangatiratanga is associated with sovereignty, leadership, autonomy to make decisions, and self-determination.

Communication Matters • 5 YEARS Vision for Māori and Cultural Development Portfolio Katrina McGarr, Tūranga Kaupapa Māori

Each year we’ve made new achievements within the Cultural Development portfolio. In the last few years alone, we’ve welcomed matua Rukingi Haupapa as our Kaumatua who has been instrumental in supporting this role and the wider membership make gains in cultural safety, as well as sharing his knowledge and demonstrating patience as we continue to learn and grow as a profession.

This year, we have introduced three connectedness with the wider Māori new tohu that will be presented at this Allied Health community. year’s conference. These are Tohu Looking forward, I wish to see the Manaaki, for recognition of a member’s person holding this portfolio is someone contribution and action to manaaki others in our profession; Tohu Rangahau, nominated and supported by our Māori for Kaupapa Māori research; and Tohu rōpū so that this person can be the Kaupapa Māori, a team or individual voice of our Māori members (and Māori award for service and commitment to SLT non-members). This will ensure that kaupapa Māori in the workplace. We will priorities for this rōpū are given space be hosting our first Māori SLT wānanga and a place to be heard and that Māori this July in Rotorua, with the support of SLT are protected in learning, practicing, the board to see this happen. This is and researching as Māori. I envision that something we wish to host every year the next 25 years will see this portfolio as a chance to strengthen our Māori continue to grow and refine itself as we SLT community, working together to continue to learn how to be responsive support our wider aspirations and vision. Treaty partners. In 25 years we will have a As well as this, the board has committed skilled workforce that is able to provide to supporting our Māori colleagues services to clients across the motu in their with membership for Ngā Pou Mana chosen language, we will have university Above: as needed to ensure Māori SLT programmes that not just teach and assess Katrina recently welcomed pēpi Maeve into the have access to appropriate cultural in Te Reo Māori, but with a Te Ao Māori world, pictured here with her brother Deegan. support and supervision, as well as lens enriched in our values and tikanga. •

6 • Communication Matters YEARS Te Reo o Te Kaumatua Nā Rukingi Haupapa Rukingi Haupapa, Kaumatua

Ngā mihi o te wā.

It has been another busy three months since the last Communication Matters. Matariki gives us a ‘kiwi’ way of celebrating the The difference is that ‘Matariki’ is here again. history and people who laid the organisation that The Matariki stars arrive usually in June we are now following and to reflect on our work and July and signify and celebrate Hōtoke and improve it, ahakoa te iti he pounamu tonu (Winter) when the old year ends and the new one begins. Māori and indigenous (no matter how small, our efforts will be beneficial). peoples all over the world have seen that the natural environment uses this time to build up and prepare for the new year coming and remember and reflect those Matariki gives us a ‘kiwi’ way of Whakawhanaungatanga and reflecting that we have lost over the last 12 months. celebrating the history and people who and planning will be a big part of the hui. laid the organisation that we are now Those who are unable to attend PLEASE Aotearoa/New Zealand had almost lost following and to reflect on our work and SHARE YOUR whakaaro to whoever you the knowledge and beliefs with Matariki, improve it, ahakoa te iti he pounamu know are coming. If you don’t know but year by year it has been revived tonu (no matter how small, our efforts to where it is today. Whether Subaru anyone, please pass on to Hana Tuwhare, will be beneficial). The conference and in Japan or Matariki in Polynesia and Katrina NcGarr, or me. We will make sure AGM later in the year will no doubt New Zealand – Matariki hunga nui = your voice and whakaaro is included. give more views and whakaaro for us Matariki has many admirers. The people to improve. A big THANK YOU and MIHI NUI to the follow by using the natural cycles of the NZSTA board, employers, and our own stars and moon and putting them into In a few weeks Māori SLTs have the first whānau to support by allowing us to find their lives. hui together. YUHU!!! The timing of time to meet. Mā whero mā pango ka Matariki is not an accident with the What does that have to do with oti te mahi – with support from all we’re moon and stars (and universe) but Communication Matters and you, us? bound to get our mahi done. • rather another example of Te Taiao A chapter in the NZSTA history book me ngā tūpuna (environment and Nākū noa. is closing with 75years in operation. ancestors) lining up in support. Rukingi Haupapa

Communication Matters • 7 YEARS A korero with Koro Sharon Collins, Community Speech- Language Therapist, Te Toka Tumai / Auckland District Health Board

The beloved New Zealand icon Rawiri Paratene (Ngā Puhi, Te Rarawa) who acted as Koro in the award-winning Kiwi film Whale Rider, suffered his first stroke in 2019 which changed the course of his life. Rawiri’s inspirational stroke Photo credit: Eugene Polkan

and aphasia recovery has Above: recently been showcased in Rawiri Paratene and Sharon Collins. his swan song performance

‘Peter Paka Paratene-Ask Me I had the privilege of working at Te Pou Theatre, I got to witness our Anything’ that celebrated his with Rawiri after his 2019 stroke national taonga share significant aspects 50-year career as an actor, alongside interdisciplinary team of his life and mahi with sincerity, humour members from the Auckland and confidence to go off script to answer writer, producer and director. District Health Board Community questions from his audience. Rehabilitation Team. As we practiced One winter’s morning, before setting saying his children’s names and off to the marae to a hui with fellow Ngā getting him into the routine of Tamatoa members (activist organisation naming objects when walking in his that fought for Māori rights, land, neighbourhood, little did I know language and culture), Rawiri sat down that Rawiri was aspiring to get back with me to reflect on his life before and on stage for one final curtain call. after his multiple strokes. Attending one of his sold out shows

8 • Communication Matters YEARS Describe your childhood My childhood was good. First, we lived in Hokianga. Then we moved to Ruawai, near Dargaville. We lived there for three to four years then moved to Otara, where my parents bought our family home. Otara was a good place to grow up.

What inspired your career ambitions? Right: I didn’t know what I was going to do Rawiri Paratene when I left school. I was bright so the at his show Peter

principal at Hillary College wanted Paka Paratene. Photo credit: Amarbir Singh me to do law, especially for Māori. My parents wanted me to get a white- What are your plans after retiring collar job like accounting. What activities have helped you to recover? from acting? I went to my first play Hamlet at The I go for walks and this is good for me. I’m going to start a Masters in Arts soon. Mercury. I had studied Shakespeare at When I walk, I try and name things My plan is to graduate in six to seven years. school and was good at English. After that I see. The Stroke Club and Gavel I know that it will be hard but I will have the show, I went to my teacher and said Club are really good for me too. They help. I would like to study English, literature, I want to act and write like Shakespeare. are really good socially. The people art history and political studies. If I can do That’s what I wanted to do and that’s what at the clubs have become my mates. my Masters in Arts, then I might become a I’ve done. I’ve been a writer, producer, The Stroke Club is a long way from me. doctor next. Maybe when I’m 90, I’ll have director and actor all over I take a bus to the club then I get a train a PhD. That would be cool. the world. and bus back home. By the end of that I’ve had it. People have been helping What have you learnt about life after What are some special milestones stroke and living with Aphasia? in your career? me with fatigue management. I’ve also been participating in stroke research. I think I’m doing pretty well with my Aphasia. Working at the Globe Theatre in London I participate because I hope the research I remember when I had my first stroke, was special. I still keep in touch with my will help other people who are stroke I decided that my work now is to recover. mates from there. They knew that I was survivors and living with Aphasia. People should be positive. Keep positive. doing my swan song show and got hold Know that it’s hard work to recover but the of me to wish me luck. What is your advice for work is worth it. I’m grateful that I have my It was also great to be part of a show Speech-Language Therapists? wife and all of my whānau. It’s really good to called Children of the Sea. I went to Speech-Language Therapists do amazing feel that whānau support or awhi as we call Sri Lanka, four to six months after the work. Patience is a virtue. I think that it. Don’t give up. Trust in love for whānau. • tsunami. We took that show to the therapists have to be patient with us and Arohanui, Edinburgh Festival and won a couple they are. Humour is very important too. Rawiri Paratene aka of awards. Peter Broughton ONZM

Communication Matters • 9 YEARS Child language, NZSTA and a vision for the future Dr Jayne Newbury, senior lecturer in paediatric speech and language disorders in the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, University of Canterbury and NZSTA Expert Advisor on Child Language.

Seventy five years ago, SLTs were articulation specialists and child language was not part of our practice. Over time, the emphasis shifted to communication and became inclusive of language. We are now established as clinical experts in evidence based assessment and intervention in child language. Our improved understanding of neurological development, Photo credit: Catherine They Above: genetics and application of technology over the last 30 years Lexie and Jayne at Willowbank, is also a cause for celebration. talking about the otters.

It is heartening to see the work of Raising ensuring parents realise their child’s intervention agents (where appropriate), Awareness of Developmental Language language needs are ongoing and will spaced learning principles and digital Disorder (RADLD) in the UK, and similar impact on classroom learning (when technology to maximise service provision. organisations in Australia and USA. this is the case); that teachers realise the We need to discuss DLD in the cultural While there are some excellent publicly child’s learning difficulties are a result context of Aotearoa. Many Māori prefer funded services available for children of language challenges (when this is a strengths based or positive approach with language disorders in NZ, few the case); have accurate terminology to to what are referred to as disabilities or would agree that current public funding refer to children’s language needs in a disorders in Western culture. This has led levels for language supports allow way that they are comfortable with; have to the creation of Māori terms for some these children to meet their potential access to full and accurate information groups of people, such as takiwātanga (in (see Pūatotanga, NZEI, 2021). My 10 about what would best help children his own space/time) for autism spectrum year vision for child language is that in terms of learning supports; and disorder. However, the absence of a DLD will be as well known as dyslexia use their time/energy as efficiently as Māori label for DLD, combined with and autism, and that improved and possible to raise language skills of the NZ’s current trend away from diagnosing increased support services follows. It’s children on their caseloads. This includes children with learning disabilities can be important all SLTs actively advocate for structured evidence based programmes, a source of confusion in terms of what is children with language needs, including group service delivery, other adults as “best practice”.

10 • Communication Matters YEARS We need to work together with Māori information about language enrichment and Pasifika SLT leaders to ask and answer should be readily available and quality culturally relevant questions within these practices supporting early language communities to inform SLT practice. development should be part of the All SLTs need to continue to develop culture of every NZ whānau. It is great to our own cultural competence to work see the work on this goal by a variety of across cultures and languages. And people, including Talking Matters, The we need to be confidently “bilingual” Next Foundation, Andrew Becroft (The when it comes to our use of terminology Children’s Commissioner) and our own around disorders, for example, flexibly UC Child Language Research Group. using either “diagnosis of DLD” or We have limited data on the language “identification of the need for learning ability of children in NZ and how this supports in language” depending on has changed over time. Some data is the preferences of each family. available from the narrative sampling On the positive side, questions about data in SALT (Westerveldt, Gillon & local bicultural and cross linguistic Miller, 2004) and the GUINZ study practice for child language are being (www.growingup.co.nz/published- asked, answered and published (see articles ). My vision for the next 10 years

Gillon & MacFarlane, 2017; Faithful et al., is that we will have accurate monitoring Photo credit: Phoebe McCrae 2020; Newbury et al., 2020; Reese et systems of language abilities for all Above: al., 2017). We have strong NZ research NZ children in at least English and te Tim and Nina. projects in child language scheduled for reo Māori at school entry. The recent the upcoming NZSTA conference. My Preschool Early Literacy Indicators (PELI) 10 year goal in this area is that publishing NZ adaptation is a great start in this it is important that we find a shared NZ research will be business as usual for direction (Cameron et al., 2020). This pathway forward, united in the common SLTs. Independent research teams should data keeping is important for tracking the goal of enhancing child outcomes in be invited (and funded) to evaluate need for language and literacy supports Aotearoa. the effectiveness of publicly funded SLT in schools and in the early childhood services. Evaluations of these services sector, to inform policy decision making. We have come a long way in 75 years. should be published in peer reviewed NZ SLTs’ capability in both practice and Finally, my vision is that in 10 years’ time international literature. It would then research in child language is starting to all SLTs working in child language would become the norm to have several high come of age and continued hard work be NZSTA members, feel an integral quality NZ studies informing practice in the right direction will lead us to a part of this organisation and that the and policy decisions in child language, bright future. NZSTA would make strong and positive • alongside applicable international studies. contributions to their practice. We will be Our research has demonstrated NZ secure in how our practice in NZ relates Editor’s note: Dr Newbury provided parents need to be more aware of to international trends and how it is an extensive array of helpful resources the long term impact of language unique to our context. Over the last few with her article. Please contact her for further information. impoverishment in the early years of years external influences have at times life (Gibson et al., 2020). High quality threatened the unity of our profession, [email protected]

Communication Matters • 11 YEARS Commemorating 75 years of advocacy and member service Siobhan Molloy 1939 The Education Department altered 1920 policy enabling Speech therapy began in at the teachers interested School for the Deaf. It was to this school that 1930 in speech and children with difficulties travelled to for help with Miss Marion E. Saunders appointed hearing disability to their speech. Adults with war injuries impacting to establish a speech class at the set up speech clinics speech were also directed to the school. Normal School, Christchurch. instead of classes.

1920 1930 1940

1921 and 1922 1942 Three teachers sent from the School for the Christchurch Teachers Deaf to Dunedin, Wellington, and Auckland to College chosen as initiate the first speech classes in New Zealand. first centre for formal speech therapy training – a one year course post 2-years of primary teacher training. Three students selected – Above: Evelyn Widdowson, First three speech therapy students 1942. Grace Gane and Muriel Lister.

Above: Miss Marion E. Saunders, first president and first director of speech therapy training.

12 • Communication Matters YEARS 1944 The Hutt Valley Left: Speech Therapy The first five years Association formed. of NZST Journals (Other regions 1965 followed – Otago, 1954 Incorporated as a society, North Canterbury, Annual general meetings the New Zealand Speech Wellington…) and conferences moved to Therapy Association biennial events for ten years. (Incorporated).

1950 1960

1946 1968 The New Zealand Speech Therapists’ Journal founded in May with Grace Gane as editor. Speech therapy A practical supplement of value to parents and teachers accompanied each issue. training changed to a two-year The New Zealand Speech Therapy Association formed in Christchurch in August, during course following the first refresher course for therapists to be held in New Zealand. Thirty-three members one-year primary recorded as having paid the first annual membership fee of £1. teacher training.

Left: Speech Therapy Journal supplement – 1959.

Above: Registrants at first refresher course 1946.

Communication Matters • 13 YEARS 1983 Budget announcement that a Bachelor of Speech-Language Therapy would be set up at the University of Canterbury with Right: open entry. Final diploma graduates 1988–9. First edition of the NZSTA Bulletin 1973 1979 published – for more practical sharing of Marion Saunders’ Trust Mary Roberts professional news and Fund launched dedicated in became advisor in events in addition to perpetuity as a prize fund for speech therapy to the journal. original writing or research the Department of into matters or problems Education. related to speech therapy. 1970 1980

1978 1982 The McKeracher Movement from area Report executive to a national Let us remember that we are part of a recommended executive adopted degree training in with Lois Lawn as movement in New Zealand which is still speech therapy. first president of new active and growing. We must record now. national format. It is almost a duty to write down something Marilyn Heine of what we like to recollect about our became advisor for speech therapy at the experience. Not all of it will find its way into Department of Health to print but. If written down, it will be there to be ensure that the training called on when needed. It should not be lost. enabled therapists to work in health as well It is our very own history, and it is precious. as education.

Marion E. Saunders, April 1971 – quoted in Looking Back with Joy – Recollections of an Early New Zealand Speech Therapist.

14 • Communication Matters YEARS 1987 1992 1996 Speech-language therapy Speech-language therapists 50th anniversary of NZSTA. training extended to three-year increasingly incorporate dysphagia diploma course post one-year as part of their remit. Inaugural Inaugural joint NZSTA and AASH primary teacher training. dysphagia themed conference: conference: Communication Partnership – Speaking of Swallowing. first of its kind with Australasia. Communication Matters first published. First Speak Week – a collaboration 1989 between Telecom, The New Zealand The first 25 students Disorders Trust and NZSTA. enrolled for the 1994 NZSTA’s position regarding ethics, intermediate year of Adopted the standards, quality measures and the BSLT programme standards contained in complaints procedures articulated – with Jo de Seriere as “Communicating Quality” a move towards self-regulation. head of department. (RCSLT). Standards were The Asia-Pacific Journal of Speech, gradually modified to The last diploma Language and Hearing is launched – meet our unique cultural students graduated. Bruce Murdoch as editor. and geographical needs.

1990

1986 1993 1995 1999 NZSTA joined a working party with Dame Ann Hercus The outcome of NZSTA official representatives from health, education, and launched the the review of the logo registered current lecturers. The goal was to integrate the New Zealand BSLT programme with a certificate needs of both health and education and ensure Communication at University of of trademark it underpinned the philosophy and content of Disorders Trust. Canterbury secured registration from the proposed Bachelor of Speech-Language NZSTA donated the future of the Intellectual Therapy at the University of Canterbury. $1,000. speech-language Property Office. therapy education The first 14 students in New Zealand graduated from the including masters BSLT programme. and PhDs.

Left: Evelyn Terris, Anne Buckley, Rosemary Hargreaves, Above: Sally Claridge, Jo de Seriere. Past NZSTA logo.

Communication Matters • 15 YEARS Left: Programme Accreditation Framework working 2010 party – 2002. Dean Sutherland appointed as first 2002 2005 male president. Launch of the Programme Accreditation Massey University Framework reflecting both New Zealand established the Established new and international values and standards Bachelor of Speech and NZSTA executive related to speech-language therapy Language Therapy with council portfolio of education. Framework updated in 2011 and Honours at the Albany Māori and Multicultural will undergo a formal review in 2022–23. campus, Auckland. Development.

2000 2010

2003 2008 University of Canterbury programme The Mutual Recognition of successfully accredited against the NZSTA Professional Association Programme Accreditation Framework. Credentials signed at ASHA Congress in Chicago NZSTA a founding member of Allied Health between ASHA. CASLPA, Aotearoa New Zealand (AHANZ) (formerly RCSLT, IASLT, SPA and NZSTA. Allied Health Association of NZ) – a national voice for allied health professions. Master of Speech Language Therapy Practice established at along with PhD opportunities.

16 • Communication Matters YEARS 2013 2016 Volume 16 the Asia Pacific Journal of Speech, Launch of yearlong advocacy campaign – Giving Voice Language and Hearing (APJSLH) published Aotearoa including communication accessible awards and under a new title: Speech, Language and the development of communication access principles. Hearing (SLH) – Michael Robb as editor. Successful bid to host an IALP 2022 congress (postponed to 2023). 2014 NZSTA, a founding member of the International Communication Project 2018 whose aim is to influence international health and disability policy. Over 50 Establishment of a consumer reference group organisations participate now. and consumer lead position. At the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review 2015 for New Zealand NZSTA highlighted actions the Karen Brewer established He Government can take to work towards the goal Kete Whanaungatanga – a of a fully accessible society for Aotearoa. support network for Māori SLTs.

2020

2011 2019 2021 Judge Andrew Appointment of kaumatua, 75 years on, the Becroft appointed Rukingi Haupapa (Te Arawa, New Zealand Speech- the first patron of Ngāti Whakaue) and the language Therapists’ NZSTA. development of our NZSTA Association continues kaupapa including our waiata: to flourish. A vision of a Tōnā Reo. thriving profession working in partnership to enhance NZSTA established a self- lives is embedded with regulation model and began its values of kotahitanga, Above: issuing annual practising whanaungatanga, NZSTA Board with kaumatua, certificates. Te Roro o Te Rangi ki Te Kuirau Marae. rangatiratanga and aroha. Third joint NZSTA and SPA Members number over 960. conference: Engaging, Collaborating and Empowering, Conference hosted in hosted in Brisbane Christchurch: Aoraki Iho Right: Ake: Grounded – Aspiring – Postponement of biennial Giving Voice Aotearoa Connected. Consumer Representative: conference to 2021. Geneva Hakaraia-Tino.

Communication Matters • 17 YEARS Massey University From our Being a student representative for the NZSTA at Massey University has enabled me to connect with students in other year groups. student reps I have learned a lot and felt supported from year 1 of the SLT program as students in years 2, 3, and 4 were just a message away. I think the NZSTA facilitates a sense of agency and togetherness by offering student representative roles. In the future, I think the NZSTA will continue to support us through their new graduate framework and foster kinship through area meetings and conferences. I hope these will offer networking opportunities and promote systematic decision-making pathways. Above: Mikayla Left to right: Rachel Maloy, Chloe Hamilton-Walker, Mikayla Scott, Elena Boikov.

University of Canterbury From the students’ perspective, the NZSTA is a great platform for us to connect with SLTs in the field and be up to date with the latest developments. We are very grateful to have Left: had NZSTA members volunteer to talk to University of Auckland us about their work and experiences in the staff and 2021 graduands field. This has been extremely helpful for us celebrate with whānau. students to get real-world insight about the SLT field. This helps us to be prepared for our The University of Auckland future careers as we are able to get an idea In our time as students, we have come to see the NZSTA as a medium of what to expect and skills that help SLTs through which SLTs can have a voice to bring about change in the achieve in their careers. profession at a macro level. We enjoy that it is inclusive and open to Laura, Jess, Renee feedback regardless of whether you’re a student or an expert. We personally use the NZSTA as a point of reference for better understanding our scope of practice while we train. We hope to use the principles Above: and frameworks set out by the NZSTA in our careers as new graduate Canterbury Student reps and awareness week. SLTs to practice safely and ensure delivery of a high-quality service. Crystal and Ella-Rose

18 • Communication Matters YEARS Patty Govender, Aphasia From our In the last 75 years we have seen tremendous medical advances, including in the area of stroke interventions. New acute stroke expert advisors treatments such as thrombolysis and clot retrieval, which are becoming more widely used in stroke management are demonstrating more positive outcomes for stroke survivors. Thus, we are likely to see a decrease in aphasia frequency and severity. Moving into the future, this means that clinicians will need to manage increasing numbers of people with milder forms of aphasia. What we know is that milder forms may have fewer visible impairments and yet induce profound psychosocial impact for the individual and those around them. There Robyn Gibson, Aphasia are also broader impacts on the economy In the last 75 years, the field of aphasia has changed radically. From and society. We are likely to see more young advances in neuroscience allowing us to see through scanning the survivors of stroke experiencing difficulty effects of brain injury and rehabilitation, and to understand the neural returning to work due to lack of appropriate networks behind language and communication, to the dawn of SLT service, to support them to return to being cognitive neuropsychology. We have seen monumental shifts from contributing members of society. SLT must the medical model and purely impairment based therapies, to the continue to champion all people with aphasia social model which provided scope for SLTs to work at a functional to live life to the fullest. level, to present services which often combine both. We have seen As an Expert Advisor, my vision is that NZSTA the rise of aphasia conversation groups, peer support, and the can support the profession, stakeholders, power of music through the rise of choirs for those with neurological decision makers and consumers by raising communication changes. We have learnt the importance of tailoring awareness about communication impairment aphasia rehabilitation to the person, particularly with respect to and reduce barriers to all who need our service ensuring aphasia rehabilitation is culturally safe for Māori. being able to access it. We must be part of Aphasia is currently in a period of change again, with international society growing to accept disability amidst research focusing on what best practice looks like and how that diversity as a whole. might be achieved across all settings. As public recognition and The current status quo where dysphagia is understanding of communication disorders grows, and as the prioritised over communication impairment health care system evolves and changes, our role as SLTs is also likely needs to change! Communication, interaction to evolve as it has for the past 75 years. In another 75 years, the and participation is as important! profession may look very different. But what is unlikely to change is our devotion and commitment to those who live with aphasia and other communication disorders, and our passion for supporting them to find their own voices and achieve their dreams. Continues over...

Communication Matters • 19 YEARS Fiona Hewerdine, Adult Neurodegenerative Conditions 75 years of NZSTA is a great time to reflect on the position of SLTs as well- NZSTA has defined our role, expanded our scope placed to make a difference to people with neurodegenerative conditions. of practice and adjusted to the increasing cultural SLT is a perfect spot from which complexity of our society. to work holistically and honour Te Whare Tapa Wha with end of life care, including saliva management, legacy recordings and enduring power of Liz Fairgray, Hearing Impairment attorney. We can support quality living and Cochlear Implant and quality dying. In this frightening space, SLTs are great team workers NZSTA has defined our role, expanded with our specialism for verbal and our scope of practice and adjusted to the non-verbal communication. increasing cultural complexity of our society. Due to NZSTA allegiances with RCSLT and As an Expert Advisor I can see first- ASHA; NZ SLTs have become recognised hand how the Association’s investment and valued world wide, including in the in Training Modules in this and other area of hearing loss; my own area of interest. specialisms and interests can enhance NZSTA has supported the inclusion of our professional workforce. “Palliative audiology as a significant component of Care in SLT” is an excellent new the SLT degrees and enabled collaborative professional development resource participation with audiologists so the embodying evidence-based practice principles of best practice can actually for this population. www.onlinecpd. be achieved. In the context of hearing co.nz/course-providers/speech- loss, we respect Whanaungatanga, using language-therapists/show/16 a whānau relationship centred approach includes the lived experience of two which is crucial if children are to achieve patients, one with laryngectomy and their potential. This clearly links to another one with motor neuron disease. NZSTA value, Aroha, as we empower Why not view the short videos, read parents and grandparents to gain the skills the associated evidence and have to necessary to help their tamariki with an interactive learning session with hearing loss. This 75th anniversary is an your team? opportunity for us to step back and think of early therapists such as Lois Lawn, Grace Gane. Having known them, I believe that they would be proud of the advances being made by NZSTA and would want us to continue with the work they pioneered.

20 • Communication Matters YEARS Ann Smaill, Augmentative and Alternative Communication Over the past 40 years the field of to continue to advocate for better Maegan VanSolkema, AAC has developed significantly, inclusion and a non-disabling Traumatic Brain Injury and in the past 10 or so years I society. The work NZSTA is doing As NZSTA grows older and wiser so do our would like to think that we have through initiatives such as Giving amazing clinicians. The clinical excellence moved away from thinking AAC is Voice Aotearoa and ICP is helping of SLTs working in the area of traumatic brain solely a specialist field, to seeing raise awareness. This must continue injury is absolutely remarkable. Clinicians in the SLTs embrace AAC tools and and gain further momentum. community, residential rehabilitation, intensive strategies into their day to day I have been privileged to work at rehabilitation, and in the acute settings are all practice. Undergraduate training TalkLink for the last 30 years, and as extremely dedicated to serving the brain injury has incorporated more AAC into the a result have also been privileged population and all the challenges that come courses – although it would be great to work with a small number of with this. As an expert advisor in the area of to see even more! clients for a significant portion of traumatic brain injury I have been able to see an Over the past 30 years, we have this time. They have some amazing increase in clinicians practicing, asking tough shifted to a more inclusive society. stories to share and through these and important questions, and really trying to The closure of psychopaedic stories we can see how far we have seek out ongoing learning especially in the hospitals and deinstitutionalization come, but that there is still work to area of cognitive communication disorders has seen more people with complex do, work that hopefully NZSTA can (CCD). In the past 15 years that I have been communication needs participate support and help to further break practicing in New Zealand there has been an in society. Access to AAC support down barriers to full inclusion and amazing growth in this area, with SLT’s now has contributed to breaking down participation. A few examples of at the table of discussions about their clients the barriers to inclusion. We need three outstanding wāhine: cognitive communication abilities. Exposure and confidence of clinicians continue to grow Maqymseahe Ninces but CCD continues to be an area that requires Maqymseahe had an inclusive education, with multiple university degrees, more attention and acknowledgement in but struggled to have her “alternative voice “ accepted when sitting NCEA. other populations outside of TBI and across Fortunately, this is not so likely to be a barrier now, as Maqymseahe influenced the lifespan; support and guidance from all change. However she still experiences discrimination and recently highlighted aspects of practice including ensuring it is in this at the UN level. NZSTA ICP work helped facilitate this opportunity. the curriculums of our universities, supporting Maqymseahe is presenting at our NZSTA conference this year. practicing clinicians how to identify and treat, and supporting clinicians to feel comfortable Lusi Faiva within the interdisciplinary cognitive Multiple award winner – a recent Podcast is worth a listen space, alongside occupational therapy and www.nukuwomen.co.nz/2021/06/22/074-lusi-faiva/ psychology. I look forward to what the future has in store for the next 75 years if we keep on Geneva Hakaraia-Tino this track of being forever learners and aiming Geneva has been campaigning for a Te Reo Māori synthetic voice for the to get things right. past five years. The technology exists, and we are working to get funding to develop the first voice. However we are only just dipping our toes into how to support Te Reo AAC options. My dream is that we have a range of Te Reo voices AND a range of symbol-based AAC systems to use with the voices. Communication Matters • 21 YEARS From our life members I have never regretted my choice of this profession. It has led to many opportunities and Jo de Seriere friendships. Much has been Life membership was a great privilege to be acknowledged by my peers. learned on the way and I am This was especially so after some initial still learning. The key is to be xenophobic reactions when I took on leadership of the Christchurch open to new ideas. programme in 1982. Lois Lawn, Life Member and Past President, interviewed in Communication Matters in 2012 NZ society has diversified hugely since I arrived in NZ. NZSTA has matured tremendously over these intervening years, taking significant steps towards meeting the needs of our tangata Sally Schoon professional practice and then whenua and the wider multicultural When Philippa wrote to me about to mutually support colleagues. environment. I’m proud of these efforts becoming awarded Life Membership Supporting increased access and – recognition and respect for cultural I was stunned, embarrassed and training for Māori students were diversity has always been my passion. confused – the “Why me?” and the actions I pushed for when imposter syndrome scenarios. President/Vice President in the SLT is a great career. It is a privilege to 1980s, and it is a great thrill to see be connected, often very closely, to our I was honoured of course. Humbled the collective work of NZSTA clients and their whānau. definitely. And now 5 years later I making tangible change. am pleased and grateful too. Thank you NZSTA. IT developments within the profession are also positively impacting on both It is wonderful seeing the Association clients and practice. welcoming a Kaumatua whose presence, guidance and influence Another earlier dream is now are perhaps not accidentally aligned in evidence with graduate Left: with processes already in progress. programmes. Research in our field Jo de Seriere I am delighted to see NZSTA should continue to widen and in her Redcliffs working for increased access for grow, with the very real possibility Mount Pleasant Māori students to study, to be of seeing New Zealand at the Bowling Club supported during their study. We forefront of breakthroughs of uniform. must then support them within international significance.

22 • Communication Matters YEARS Marilyn Heine jobs in order to work towards a common good. Becoming a Life Member has been one of the It is an uplifting memory for me. greatest joys in my life. I spent all my working life I look back with affection to Dr Jean Seabrook as a speech-language therapist and would do and Grace Gane and have such good memories it all again and enjoy the greater opportunities of Cranmer Square and Purchas House (where that are available now. we trained before the move to Ilam). One of the greatest highlights for me was the Jean and Grace worked tirelessly towards a working party which was set up in the eighties profession which I realise looking back was only to plan for the new degree. My role was to just starting to establish itself in its own right. represent the needs of the health sector and And all along the NZSTA has continued to work Above: I received tremendous support from senior for us. Each executive has worked in their own Marilyn Heine. health department officials. I remember the time on top of busy caseloads and as a result many long meetings in Christchurch and over the years we have gained so much. the enthusiasm and hard work from people Below: like Lois Lawn and Jo de Seriere and Brigette I am thrilled that we are at 75 acknowledging Fiona Hewerdine. Larkins. There were many differing agendas of how far we have come and how dedicated so course but all the way through the NZSTA was many have been over the years with the result consistent with the dream to have a degree we have a profession we can be so proud of. course which was as good as anywhere in I feel quite emotional writing this and can the world. I still admire how many gave away only say again how thrilled I am to be a privileges such as school holidays and even Life Member.

Life members Mrs Gwen Broadley (d) Fiona Hewerdine Māori title for SLT, in common usage. I would Mrs Jo De Seriere It was a huge shock to me to be awarded also like to see increased engagement of our Mrs Ngaire Harding Life Membership of NZSTA. As the meeting service users in all areas of our association. Mrs Marilyn Heine erupted into waiata, it was an enormous I am delighted to see the explosion of NZ- honour. I reflected that this is not something Mrs Chris Justin (d) based evidence supporting practice. I am which would have happened in the early also delighted to see our current leaders Mr Vijay Kumar years of NZSTA’s AGMs. How appropriate is it building on the work of our earlier pioneers, Kaniyanoor Venkatesan that this taonga should be our way of affirming for advocacy for adults and children with Mrs Lois Lawn (d) someone and expressing ourselves as a communication disorders. We need to Mrs Evelyn Terris profession which treasures communication. keep the flames alive and continue to ignite Sally Schoon Going forward, there are many things I would the future of SLT – and NZSTA is a fantastic platform to keep the fires burning! Gail Gillon like NZSTA to achieve. I would like to see a Fiona Hewerdine Honorary member Communication Matters • 23 Dr Margaret Maclagan YEARS From our I’m so proud to be part of an association that continues to develop and progress. The challenges facing NZSTA keep growing and members keep past presidents stepping up to meet them. We had almost 500 members, which seemed huge, yet we all seemed to know each other! Such a dedicated group, with such high energy Carla levels, sense of “fun”, and enthusiasm. I think those Darling- qualities define us as SLTs and ensure NZSTA stays Knott strong into the future. 2002–2004 Anne Mannion Our achievements included forming Programme 1996–1998 Accreditation Council, contributing to the Health We focussed on increasing Practitioners’ Competence Assurance Bill, and professionalism and public profile, establishing Special Interest Contacts. moving to Portfolio structures and increasing links with Australia. We appointed Ngaire Hamilton as Executive Officer who did a fabulous Stella Ward job for the next decade. 2002–2004 NZ’s first SLT Awareness week Presidency offered great opportunity to learn as NZSTA matures as a platform for occurred in 1996. Telecom NZ and lead, and I treasured the experience. advocacy. The website and social media provided sponsorship and Dame demonstrate NZSTA continues to evolve, We were very focussed on the Mutual Ann Hercus (Labour politician and just as we were taught that language does! UN Advisor) toured and spoke. Recognition Agreement and it was an honour The media coverage was excellent, to attend the signing in the US. Another SLT has been instrumental in my leadership raising our profile. focus was ensuring sufficient rigour and success in health and disability, and now as standards across SLT, including university a Digital Leader across All of Government. I was also proud of ushering in degree programmes’ accreditation and I can advocate for digital inclusion and shorter AGMs! continuing professional development highlight the importance of digital skills As a profession without formal framework. We continued attempts to for all. When I first embarked on my SLT registration, NZSTA remains essential become a regulated profession and it is career, I recognised that technology would to provide ongoing education, regrettable that this wasn’t achieved. fundamentally affect how we live, work and play – but the most important part of being direction and of course accountability NZSTA has made strides to support Māori human is our need as social beings. and no one else can bring Aotearoa’s practitioners, building on foundations of particular perspective to our work. previous executives. Continued NZSTA SLT has a role in shaping how technology leadership is needed to meet our Treaty of enhances our communication abilities. Waitangi obligations. I look forward to seeing how new leaders within SLT tackle this great opportunity. There has been support for members and 24 • Communication Matters service users to lobby and raise awareness, YEARS During my presidency we continued to develop strong international relationships with partner associations. Despite our size, we certainly punch above our weight! I’d like to acknowledge the many others who worked alongside me; giving Dean and continue to give, hours of their time for our profession. Sutherland, 2010–2012 It’s so very exciting to see NZSTA becoming more representative of our bicultural context. There are many memorable Helen reflections for me from my McLauchlan SLTs are working in new and varied areas of practice, and as term as NZSTA’s president. 2012–2015 our numbers grow we see SLTs moving into diverse roles. We Navigating the move of the need to consider how we use these networks to ensure we ‘office’ from Christchurch to don’t view them as having ‘given up SLT’ but rather having taken Auckland during the seemingly their awesome skill set in another direction. What exciting new endless earthquake period opportunities this opens up for our profession. was challenging. Creating the concept of International Communication Project in collaboration with Chris Stone (SPA President) and then successfully pitching this to US, UK, Canada, and Ireland was an absolute highlight. It Philippa Friary is rewarding to see this, and 2015–2018 our relationship with SPA, still With the risk of losing my ‘lit-ness’ impact influencing policy locally. We are taking very active in 2021. Some factor … I completed my SLT degree at steps forward in mahi tahi as tangata of the challenges for the the University of Canterbury without the whenua and tangata tiriti … and we have profession are quantifying use of the world wide web, let alone a more mahi to do. the social and economic smartphone. During this time in the late How can we work in true partnership benefits of SLT work. We must 80s and early 90s, the profession needed with our whānau and communities? How increase public awareness to focus on working out who we were and can we continue to grow more diversity and galvanise political action jostling for recognition at the table with in our profession? How can we create to ensure SLTs in Aotearoa our interprofessional colleagues. are recognised, valued and the education and health services that rewarded appropriately. The SLT Looking to today, we have dusted off we would want for our mokopuna? A workforce must be sufficiently our Doc Martens again and have found whakatauki to send us towards our 100 prepared (in size and skill) and our tribe and our voice. We are known year milestone is about strength and equipped to support the aging and respected in our workplaces and no resilience, ‘Kia mate ururoa kei mate wheke’ and diversifying population longer need to jostle for our invitation. (don’t fight like an octopus, fight like a of people in Aotearoa who We are leading researchers globally and hammerhead shark). Mauri ora, kia ora. experience communication challenges.

Communication Matters • 25 YEARS Margaret Maclagan, Honorary Member From NZSTA’s After I’d been teaching SLT students for some years I applied to join the community association. I thought it would be helpful because I hoped to find courses that were relevant to my teaching. I was told it would ‘bring the association into disrepute’ because I didn’t have SLT qualifications. I could Renee Taylor, former Tūranga Kaupapa Māori, Māori and Cultural see where they were coming from, Development Portfolio but I was disappointed. Some time When I naively and enthusiastically entered the role as Māori and Cultural later NZSTA created the category of portfolio I had no idea how hard it would be spiritually and professionally. Honorary Member so I could join. But when I look at where the NZSTA is now I can see that it was worth it. The I really appreciated that and I also ripples made are now making waves. Although we still have a long way to appreciated receiving an NZSTA go, it’s clear we’ve come a long way. All thanks to all those before me, and membership badge. Since my now those who continue to push forward fiercely. We are moving away from ‘retirement’, I’m glad I can continue tokenism to truly trying to understand the importance of why, in order to make to be associated with the NZSTA it the norm. Ahhhh equity! It takes a village, and in previous years having one and the department. I was happy to voice was challenging. So to see our village grow with more representation of stop teaching, but I still enjoy Māori on the board in roles other than ‘the cultural one’, plus the never ending research – I hope that lasts for a long support of our most amazing and active kaumatua, combined with the support time yet! By far the best part of my of a beautiful rōpū of Māori SLTs who wānanga regularly, we’ve solidified our association with NZSTA is the people foundation and our purpose. That’s what’s taking us forward. That’s the magic. – especially students who have become valued colleagues.

Karen Brewer, former Cultural Development Portfolio Holder Congratulations to the NZSTA on the 75th anniversary. As we reflect on where we’ve been and where we are going, top of my mind are the wāhine who have held the Māori and Cultural Development portfolio since it’s inauguration. Kerrie Gallagher (now Collier) was the first person in the role, followed by Adele Siave, then me, Renee Taylor and now Katrina McGarr. I also acknowledge Waimirirangi Andrews and the support she gave me personally. Each of these wāhine have brought different skills and experience to the role. Each of us has developed it a little further and we have all had similar struggles. In our Association, and our profession, I see a huge willingness and enthusiasm to engage with Māori, although sometimes we “don’t know what we don’t know”. As we move forward may we always remember “titiro, whakarongo ... kōrero” so we look and listen with all our senses before we 26 • Communication Matters speak or act. YEARS Photo credit: Selena Donaldson

Left: 20th Reunion of University of Canterbury BSLT Class of 1996, Christchurch, 2016.

Selena Donaldson, Editor of Communication Matters I often describe myself to my University of Auckland students as a ‘SLT Evangelist’, as I fell into this profession at a tricky time of my life and it has provided everything I could wish for professionally and a tremendous amount personally as well. For me NZSTA has for a long time represented a safe, supportive and very hard-working community of amazing individuals, with the collective vision of caring for some of Aotearoa’s most vulnerable. A happy by-product as an NZSTA member has been finding a community Ashleigh Neumann, Private Practice of working mothers; peers who have helped me map out my own working Representative life balancing the identities of work and home. Arguably, this may have “Even in my relatively short time as a speech started when, rather accidentally, I ended up with one of our wonderful and language therapist, I have seen so SLT friends as an extra cheerleader at the birth of my first daughter. My many changes in our profession! One friend and colleague (a former NZSTA member!) drove John and I through being the increased number of private terrible snow to deliver Stella, now 13, and then never left us as the practitioners. Being the private practice onslaught of birth turned a bit crazy! This wove SLT into our family tapestry representative for the NZSTA this term has and it is these rich friendships, as well as the wonderful work of SLT, that showed me just how important the work keeps my passion for SLT, and NZSTA, firing after 25 years of work. of the NZSTA is, and just how much work goes on behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. The professional safety, support and networking our association provides for the profession often gets taken for granted (by me included!), and it has been great that the importance of being a member of our professional body has really shown throughout the COVID-19 Right: pandemic. Happy 75 Years NZSTA, and Ashleigh Neumann here’s to another 75 of supporting the most working with wonderful profession! Rocky and Ruby. Left: Karen Brewer with her son Jacob at Communication Matters • 27 YEARS Waipapa Marae. Please consider contributing content to Communication Matters about any aspect of our profession. Feel free to discuss with Selena Donaldson, Contact details Editor, any ideas you have. Whakapā tangata [email protected]

NZSTA Board Members Expert adviser contacts Area representatives President • Annette Rotherham Ann Smaill Te Tai Tokerau • Suanna Smith & Denise Poole [email protected] Alternative and Augmentative Communication [email protected] [email protected] Communications • Emma Quigan Auckland • Tessa Livingston & Hannah Barnes [email protected] Anna Miles • Adult Dysphagia [email protected] [email protected] Member networks • Akshat Shah Waikato/Bay of Plenty • Gwen Kerrison [email protected] Annabel Grant • Dementia [email protected] [email protected] Professional development • Claire Winward Central • Elisa Mynen [email protected] Carlene Perris • Voice [email protected] [email protected] Professional standards • Anna Miles Wellington/Nelson • Polly Newton & Emily King [email protected] Emily Jones [email protected] Māori and cultural development Paediatric Feeding and Swallowing Canterbury/Westland Katrina McGarr [email protected] Kate Cook & Ruth Ramsay [email protected] Fiona Hewerdine [email protected] Adult Neurodegenerative Conditions Otago/Southland • Meryl Jones Other contacts and Palliative Care [email protected] [email protected] National private practitioner members’ representative • Ashleigh Neumann Jayne Newbury • Child Language Student representatives [email protected] [email protected] Massey University Administrator • ONZL Limited Liz Fairgray & Megan Lewis Mikayla Scott, Eleanor Divers & Riya Bhatia [email protected] • +64 9 475 0214 Hearing Impairment and Cochlear Implant [email protected] [email protected] Speech, Language and Hearing Journal [email protected] University of Auckland of APSSLH, HKAST & NZSTA Crystal Aranha & Ella-Rose Meagher Editor: Anna Miles Maegan VanSolkema • Traumatic Brain Injury [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] University of Canterbury Sally Kedge • Vulnerable Children and Youth New Zealand Speech-language Jessica Eagle, Laura Murdoch & Renee Ung [email protected] Therapists’ Association NZSTA [email protected] www.speechtherapy.org.nz Sarah Spence [email protected] Paediatric Complex Communication Needs PO Box 65503, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0754 [email protected] Communication Matters editor Shannon Hennig • Autism and Neurodiversity Selena Donaldson [email protected] [email protected] Alison Zani • Aphasia NZSTA Executive Director • Siobhan Molloy [email protected] www.speechtherapy.org.nz [email protected] ISSN 2324-2302 (Print) ISSN 2324-2310 (Online) NZSTA Kaumatua • Rukingi Haupapa [email protected] The NZSTA reserves the right to refuse for inclusion in Communication Matters, any articles, features or advertisements which are contrary to the NZSTA Code of Ethics. Unless formally stated to the contrary, acceptance and publication of material and advertising does not imply endorsement of views, positions, programmes or products by NZSTA. Articles may be edited.