Stuttering Treatment And Research Trust

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.

30/11/2025

A huge thank you to the Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) for their generous support towards our operating costs — funding that’s absolutely vital to keeping our services running.COGS supports community and voluntary organisations across Aotearoa to strengthen local communities, and we’re so grateful to have received support from the following COGS areas this year: Auckland, Hutt Valley, Rodney/North Shore, Papakura/Franklin, Rotorua, Wellington, Kirikiriroa/Hamilton City, Tauranga Moana, Christchurch City/Banks Peninsula, Manawatu/Horowhenua, Southland, and Otago. Their belief in our mahi helps us continue delivering life-changing therapy and support to people of all ages who stutter across Aotearoa.

26/11/2025

A huge thank you to the Raye Blumenthal Freedman Trust for their generous support towards our Speech-Language Therapist (SLT) salaries. Raye Blumenthal Freedman holds special significance for us — before becoming a self-made businesswoman and philanthropist, she worked as a Speech-Language Therapist! It’s incredibly meaningful to be supported by a trust that reflects her legacy, her values, and her understanding of the importance of our mahi. We’re so grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Raye Blumenthal Freedman Trust ensuring our team can continue delivering essential speech-language therapy and support to people of all ages who stutter, and their families and whānau.

25/11/2025

Recently, our Executive Director and Clinical Leader, Janelle Irvine, had the pleasure of speaking to the Papakura Quota Group. What a wonderful group of engaged and welcoming women! Quota Papakura has just celebrated 50 years of service to the local community. Quota Papakura is part of Quota New Zealand - a non-profit service organisation supporting women and children, the Deaf and hard of hearing, and people with communication needs. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to speak about stuttering and START’s mahi supporting people who stutter. Janelle thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the warm conversations with the women present. Thank you Quota Papakura for having us!