Emerging Practitioner - for Clinical Excellence Award

Recognises significant contributions to clinical practice.

The nominee must be a registered speech-language therapist who has graduated within the past three years.

Value: 1,000

Selection criteria

1. The nominee is employed as a speech-language therapist and is a current registered NZSTA member.
2. The nominee will have made significant contributions and demonstrated excellence in clinical practice.
3. The nominee has improved the efficacy of clinical practice with achievements in one or more of the following areas: 

• innovations in diagnostic, assessment or intervention procedures
• evidence-based practice
• quality improvement
• practitioner expertise and leadership within a practice area
• peer education and professional supervision.

 Applications close at 5pm on 30 June annually.

Awarded at the 2025 NZSTA symposium to Michelle Bonetti

Nominated by: Ellen Faithfull & Bridget McArthur

We are honoured to nominate Michelle Bonetti for the Practitioner – Clinical Excellence Award. Michelle’s contribution to speech‑language therapy in Aotearoa is extraordinary — pioneering, system‑changing, and deeply grounded in equity, collaboration and service.

Innovation
In 2012, Michelle became the first Speech‑Language Therapist in New Zealand appointed as a Court Communication Assistant for the Ministry of Justice. In 2017, she completed specialist UK‑based training with Triangle Services, gaining forensic questioning expertise that she brought back to enrich her practice here.

Michelle has been a trailblazer in shaping the role of Communication Assistant from its beginnings. At a time when the work was neither recognised nor resourced, she showed vision and bravery to establish and embed it into the justice system. She has developed two narrative assessment tools that are now used nationally, enabling consistent, effective narrative‑based assessment and intervention in legal contexts.

Michelle brings a strong sense of kaitiakitanga — taking responsibility not only for pioneering the role but also for nurturing its growth in ways that uphold justice and safeguard communication rights.

Quality improvement
Through trusted relationships with the Ministry of Justice, Michelle has helped shape national policy and practice for Communication Assistants. She co‑authored the Quality Framework for Communication Assistants, ensuring clear standards and equitable access. Her quiet determination and strategic focus have transformed a service that did not exist in 2012 into an integral part of the system today.

Peer education and professional supervision
From her base in Te Tai Tokerau, Michelle has built and guided a national team, offering supervision, training and unwavering professional support. She mentors with humility and manaakitanga, fostering trust and collaboration. She works alongside the judiciary, lawyers, police and social sector agencies to promote shared understanding and build capability across the justice system.

Conclusion
Michelle is an innovator, a leader and a tireless advocate. She exemplifies aroha and clinical excellence, ensuring communication access is treated as a fundamental right. We cannot think of a more deserving recipient of this award.