Stuttering Treatment And Research Trust

22/12/2025

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Winton and Margaret Bear Charitable Trust (Perpetual Guardian) for their funding toward our speech-language therapists’ (SLTs) salaries. These funds will go toward enabling our SLTs to provide life-changing therapy for people who stutter, helping them build confidence and communicate more easily. We are incredibly grateful for this contribution and the difference it helps us make every day. We’re especially pleased to recognise the Winton and Margaret Bear Charitable Trust as a first-time funder for us in 2025, and we sincerely thank them for their support.

21/12/2025

A big thank you to the Mainland Foundation for their funding toward Brittney Mackie, our Christchurch-based speech-language therapist. Having a member of our team in Christchurch means we can support people face-to-face, like the wonderful Freya. Pictured here is Freya at our Christchurch clinic, with her gift of butterflies for Brittney.

“Brittney taught me that my stutter is like butterflies in a jar. When I try to keep them inside, they flutter around and feel trapped. But when I open the jar and let them fly, they’re free! And so am I. Every butterfly deserves to fly, just like my words!

Thanks Mainland Foundation, for helping us support incredible young people like Freya.

18/12/2025

Today is our last day for the year. As 2025 comes to a close, we’re grateful to have been supporting people who stutter for 30 years. Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year — whether you worked with us, partnered with us, or supported our mahi in other ways. We wish you all a relaxing and refreshing holiday break. Our office reopens the week beginning Monday 5 January 2026, with team members returning at various times over January.

17/12/2025

You may have heard that Janelle Irvine, our Executive Director and Clinical Leader will be finishing up at START at the end of April 2026 as she heads off on an exciting sailing adventure. As we prepare for this next chapter, we’re looking for a Speech-Language Therapist who’s interested in a role that blends clinical practice, leadership, and management - with the opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of people who stutter. If you’re a SLT looking for a new challenge and ready to step up into a leadership role, take a look at the position advertised on the NZSTA website. Applications close on Friday 23 January 2026.

Are you a Speech-Language Therapist looking for a new challenge - one that blends clinical practice, leadership, and management with the chance to make a real difference?

16/12/2025

Today we’re saying a big thank you to the Rātā Foundation for their generous support. Their funding has helped cover a shortfall in session costs, ensuring the people we work with in Nelson, Marlborough, and Canterbury can continue to access the specialist stuttering therapy and support they need. We’re incredibly grateful for the Rātā Foundation’s commitment to our community in these regions.

14/12/2025

A big thank you to the Dragon Community Trust for helping us keep our clinic spaces open and welcoming. Their continued funding towards our rental costs means we can provide accessible, supportive environments for those we work with, and their whānau. We’re so appreciative of their support — thank you, Dragon Community Trust, for helping us make a real difference!

11/12/2025

Today we’re extending a big thank you to Trust Waikato for funding a shortfall in session costs for the people we work with across the Waikato region. Delivering sessions online means we’re able to provide specialist therapy and support to people who stutter throughout Aotearoa. Ngaa mihi nui to Trust Waikato for helping us keep our services accessible to those who need them.

09/12/2025

A very special thank you to the Kingston Sedgefield Community Trust, who are supporting us for the first time this year! Their funding towards our Speech-Language Therapist (SLT) salaries helps us continue delivering vital speech-language therapy and support - making a real difference in the lives of those we support, and their whānau. We’re so grateful to the Kingston Sedgefield Community Trust’s belief in our work - and thank them for joining our community of supporters.

07/12/2025

A heartfelt thank you to the Lion Foundation for their generous support towards the rental of our clinic spaces. Their support helps ensure we can continue providing safe, welcoming environments for those we work with, and their whānau. We’re so grateful for the Lion Foundation’s longstanding support and belief in the work we do.

04/12/2025

A big thankyou to the Four Winds Foundation for their ongoing funding of our Speech-Language Therapist (SLT) salaries. Their continued support ensures we can keep delivering specialist therapy and vital support to people who stutter across Aotearoa. We are truly grateful for the Four Winds Foundation’s commitment to our community and the difference they help us make each day.

04/12/2025

The team and board enjoyed a lovely evening together earlier this week, celebrating the year that was - START's 30th year of providing services. We don't often get the chance to all be in the same room, so it was wonderful to be together and reconnect - what a wonderful bunch of people make up START. Here's to many more years of making a difference in the lives of people who stutter.