A Canterbury University researcher is using Marsden Fund money to look into the causes of stuttering - in the hope she can help some of the 33,000 adult New Zealanders who suffer from it.

Dr Catherine Theys says the problem is a real burden, not just for speech, but for the psychological problems that come with it.

She says recognition of the issue has improved since the 2010 film, The King's Speech - about stutterer King George V.

"There has definitely been more awareness for stuttering and for the problems it can cause and just to show people that it's something that can really be a burden."

There's no cure or permanent treatment for such speech problems.