A warm thank you to Dietitians NZ for this prestigious award which I am very proud to accept.
To be recognised by my peers is the highest accolade I could have hoped for.
Dietetics has provided me with an incredibly diverse career over the past 50 years. This would not have been possible without the help of my family and some key people along the way, who have encouraged, supported and collaborated with me on a variety of projects and to whom I now share this award.
Thank you so much.
Lea
Award Citation
Lea Stening is nominated for the Dietitians NZ Award of Excellence for Outstanding achievement in Dietetics by her peers Julian Jensen, Dr Charlene Tan-Smith, Jane Cartwright, Leigh O’Brien, Conrad Goodhew, Annette Nistor and Ien Hellemans.
Lea has been a practising dietitian since 1976, in New Zealand, Australia and England–48 years. One of New Zealand’s first private practice dietitians, she establishing her practice in 1985. Lea is passionate in her role as a paediatric, family health, and sports dietitian. She has a pragmatic approach to business, pursuing a BCom (Canterbury), double majoring in business administration and education.
Lea contributions to the health and nutrition information for health professionals and the public by her website and monthly newsletters of global interest.
Lea has authored 3 books:
- Nutrition Manual for Developing Rowers
- Healthy Kids, Happy Lives
- How to grow an Athlete
For 25 years Lea has been a media link for DNZ (1992-2017) and is currently an active committee member of the DNZ Sports Special Interest Group. She was co-author of DNZ Position Paper on Sports Nutrition.
For a number of years, Lea has been the ‘Go to’ dietitian for Christchurch radio and the printed and visual media. Lea has always made herself available to present to groups, including schools, kura, kōhanga reo, marae and to participate in community health events. She has participated in the NZ Nutrition Foundation’s Health Week activities (1992-1996), running Supermarket tours, and health promotions event.
Lea is a highly competent Paediatric Dietitian, providing a very comprehensive family-focused service to her clients. Lea co-founded the Healthworks Family Health, Education and Counselling Centre in 1991, working with speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, and counselling. Her work partnering with GPs and pharmacists has enabled others to appreciate the value dietetic services can contribute to health and wellbeing.
From 1996-2012, she was actively involved in the sporting community. She worked with the Black Caps and the Cricket Academy at Lincoln University from 1996-2004 and established national nutritional guidelines for Cricket. From 2004-2009, she was Dietitian for NZ Rowing and for NZ Paralympians from 2003-2012. Lea contributed her expertise to swimming, tennis, boccia, shooting, and the Wheel Blacks Rugby Team.
She has been a guest lecturer for Nursing Studies, Food and Fashion, and Jazz school at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.
She was a Food Revolution Ambassador supporting Jamie Oliver’s push for improved school lunches and getting children to cook.
Since 2020, Lea has volunteered to work with people who attend the Canterbury Charity Hospital and Te Tahi Youth Hub. She established, coordinates and volunteers at the service, for clients needing dietary support with the aim to give all people the opportunity to receive evidence-based nutrition advice. She embodies the concepts of ko tau rourou (a generosity of spirit, cooperation that enables development through giving) and manaakitanga (caring for others) as she serves less fortunate communities and all of her patients.
Lea is currently working with HETANZ (Home Economics Teachers Association of New Zealand), supporting them in coordinating sporting activities in schools to create a rounded sporting ethos.
Lea is a passionate and energetic dietitian, focused on the needs of people. She has used her relationships and advocacy to enhance the profile of our dietetic profession.
Lea is a worthy recipient of the Dietitians NZ Award of Excellence.
