General Information
The New Zealand Speech-language Therapists’ Association is the national professional body of Speech-language Therapists in New Zealand.
We are the association for our members. We are over 900 Speech-language Therapists. We are committed to giving all New Zealanders their life essentials – effective communication and safe swallowing. With these life essentials comes well-being.
The NZSTA regulates speech-language therapists in New Zealand in the following way:
Accountability
Method
The NZSTA provides a clear statement of the scope of practice of a profession including what is not within scope for a profession
- Scope of Practice Policy
- Policy documents in specialist areas of practice
The NZSTA provides quality assurance of the tertiary courses of New Zealand
- Programme Accreditation Framework
The NZSTA provides quality assurance of overseas-trained speech-language therapists requesting membership
- Qualification Approval Process
- Mutual Recognition Agreement
The NZSTA provides a framework ensuring a structured and supervised first year of practice for newly qualified speech-language therapists
- New Graduate Framework
The NZSTA provides continuing quality assurance of its registered professionals
- Ethical Complaints Procedure
- Annual declaration of abiding by Code of Ethics & statement of good standing
- Annual declaration of recency of practice (hours of practice)
- Continuing professional development log and auditing
The NZSTA provides a framework ensuring a structured and supervised first year of practice for speech-language therapists with fewer than 1000 hours of practice in the past 5 years
- Return to Practice Framework
The NZSTA can restrict a professional’s activities to protect the public and in some cases, withdraw membership of an individual
- Ethical Complaints Procedure
- Annual declaration of abiding by Code of Ethics & statement of good standing
- Annual Practice Certificates including Conditions
We believe in the well-being of Aotearoa now and in the future.
Within speech-language therapy professional practice, the NZSTA implements and oversees the following:
Professional Standards
Principles and Rules of Ethics
NZSTA Scope of Practice
International qualifications approval
Oversight of standards of student training
Legal requirements to gain registration
Provide guidance on Indemnity insurance
Professional Development
Biennial Conference
2-day Professional Development Event adjoined to AGM between Biennial Conference
Awards for study, research and presentation of papers
Funding to attend overseas and other conferences
Continuing Professional Development Record
Special Interest Groups
Local Professional Development Events
Public Relations
Liaison of Speech-Language Therapists with other Speech-Language Therapists
Public profiling of the profession
Liaison with associated professional groups and government departments
Representatives on Special Groups
Speech-language therapy Historical Archives
Media Database related to the profession
Publications
Professional Website
Speech, Language and Hearing Journal
Communication Matters
Our Values
Kotahitanga – Work in partnership and with integrity, respect and humility
Rangatiratanga – Share our expertise in the field of communication and swallowing
Whanaungatanga – Be person and whānau centred with a focus on connection and relationships
Aroha – Empower other and provide an equitable and excellent service to all
Our Mission
To be responsive to te Tiriti o Waitangi and act as a resource for the profession of Speech-language Therapy in cultural safety
To empower Speech-language Therapists to provide excellent and equitable services to our communities
To represent the interests and views of SLTs
To promote quality evidence based practice and research
To guide and govern the educational, clinical and ethical standards of SLT practice