The New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association (NZSTA) is the professional body representing, supporting, and advocating for over 1,100 speech-language therapists in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Advocacy on behalf of the speech-language therapy profession is a priority for NZSTA.
Working with and on behalf of its members, NZSTA plays an active role and speaks up on issues impacting speech-language therapy practice and the health and well-being of our communities.
We meet with government and non-governmental agencies and contribute to policy and public debates on various issues to ensure:
- They understand and appreciate speech-language therapists' contribution to the health and well-being of New Zealanders and the value our members generate.
- NZSTA is in a strong position to propose practical solutions to the adverse issues affecting our members and clients to key influencers and policy decision-makers.
Advocacy opportunities
We aim to routinely bring your awareness to opportunities to provide feedback on speech-language issues.
- Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill (select committee recommends passing the Bill - see NZSTA submission)
- Adult-Decision Making - Law Commission Review - see NZSTA submission
- Therapeutic & Natural Products Bill (Bill passed - see NZSTA submission)
Updates:
Therapeutic & Natural Products Bill
19th July 2023: The Bill passed the Committee of the Whole House and third reading stages in Parliament this week. For the latest newsletter - click here.
Additional information on the Bill can be found on the updated Ministry’s website. Other official information continues to be proactively released on the Ministry’s OIA page.
Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill
The Social Services and Community Committee has examined the Accessibility for
New Zealanders Bill, and recommended by a majority that it be passed. There is a detailed commentary from the Social Services and Community Committee.
Please alert the executive director to any opportunities so that we may consider action.
Select Committee Oral Submissions
Member Sally Kedge supported by Martin Nunn made an oral submission to the select committee on the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill.
You can find Sally and Martin's submission at 8.58 - 24.12 mins at this Facebook link.
Health and Disability System Review
NZSTA has been keeping an eye on the new health and disability system.
With changes generally going beyond recommendations from the Health and Disability System Review, Allied Health Aotearoa New Zealand (AHANZ), on our behalf, continues to work with the Transition Unit senior staff actively.
AHANZ chair Sandra Kirby presented to the Federation of Primary Health and Health Transition Unit staff on the role of allied health in the new system. In July 2021, she met with Health Transition Unit senior staff to continue this advocacy.
NZSTA contributed to the June 2021 Hidden in Plain Sight report, commissioned by AHANZ t to demonstrate the value of allied health in community-level care. Our message remains that the redesign of the health system provides the perfect opportunity to unlock the potential of speech-language therapy and other allied health to improve the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. This is an evidence-based and cost-effective solution to the growing pressure on health services.
See The Future of Health – presentation.
Read our two-page summary offshoot of the NZIER report: Optimising the role of speech-language therapists in the future health and disability system.
Allied Health Aotearoa
NZSTA is a member of Allied Health Aotearoa New Zealand (AHANZ), a national forum for allied health professional associations, working together to promote their members' role in getting better patient results.
Allied health professionals could contribute much more to New Zealanders' health and wellbeing. The current health and disability reforms offer the chance to better use and integrate the services of allied health professions into the broader health system.
The NZIER report to AHANZ, "Hidden in Plain Sight – Optimising the allied health professions for better, more sustainable integrated care", explores why this is so important and how optimisation might best be achieved.
A two-page summary offshoot of the NZIER report developed: Optimising the role of speech-language therapists in the future health and disability system.
How to make a submission
A submission is an opportunity to present speech-language therapy insights, views and opinions on issues impacting ourselves, clients and the world.The following writing guidelines will help you when submitting:
1. Write clearly and structure your message to make it an easy read.
2. State clearly what the submission is about.
3. State clearly who the submission is from.
4. State whether you want to appear before a select committee (if the submission is for a select committee).
5. If you have the authority and are writing on behalf of an organization, state its aims and outline background details.
6. State who has been consulted with.
7. Apply the five basic principles of clear writing: relevancy, clarity, conciseness, accuracy, and conclusion.
See the Parliamentary Information Service’s guide to writing a submission to a Parliamentary Select Committee for more information (below).
Email the NZSTA office if you want to talk with someone about writing a submission or getting more support.
FURTHER READING
- Have your say: Influencing public policy in New Zealand. Hughes, F. and Calder, S. (2007) Wellington: Dunmore Publisher. 142 pp.
- A practical guide for those wishing to understand how the New Zealand public policy process works and how to work with it effectively and gain some influence.