Biennial conference of the New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists’ Association

What do the Maori of New Zealand and Communication Disorders Professionals have in common?  Well, naturally it is a love of people.  Nothing exemplifies that more than the Maori aphorism, He aha te mea nui, “what is the most important thing?”  Indisputably, the answer is, He Tengata---“It is people.”

Leonard LaPointe, Francis Eppes Professor of the Department of Communication Disorders, had a chance to experience New Zealand hospitality and learn about Maori culture while in Christchurch for the biennial conference of the New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists’ Association held April 9-12.  As a guest speaker, LaPointe delivered a keynote address, “Quality of Life with Aphasia and Other Neurogenic Disasters:  Adaptation, Accommodation and Aristos” to an eager audience of Speech-Language Professionals at the Hotel Grande Chancellor in Christchurch. 

He also lectured on the Effects of Distraction and Cognitive Loading on Gait, Posture, and Balance in Parkinson Disease—a collaborative research effort involving Dr. Gerry Maitland of the College of Medicine, Dr. Julie Stierwalt of Communication Disorders and Dr. Gary R. Heald of the Department of Communication.  Rounding off his visit, LaPointe finished with a lecture at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch on Neuromotor Speech Disorders. 

The warmth exuded by New Zealanders made an indelible impression upon LaPointe.  The New Zealand trip is the topic of LaPointe’s upcoming editorial to be published in the Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology.  According to LaPointe, “We felt enriched and welcome indeed. New Zealand is a land of magnificent beauty and a rich diversity of cultures.” Though he may have come to New Zealand as a manuhiri, or visitor, LaPointe left as a tangata whenua—one of the people of the Land of the Long White Cloud.