Bonevacia, who played for the Netherlands up to under-19 level, has proven an indispensable component of the Phoenix midfield this season.
He came to Wellington on a two-year contract after stints with Dutch strugglers NAC Breda, and Roda JC.
Bonevacia revealed that hooking up with the Phoenix has made a huge difference to his football, and to his happiness.
"If you're at the bottom of the league, you don't enjoy the games - you're playing long balls, so it's not really enjoyable," he told NZ Newswire.
Phoenix knows all about those struggles after finishing second from bottom last season.
But under the unflappable calm of coach Ernie Merrick, now in his second season with the club, Wellington holds a narrow four-point lead over Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Perth Glory with only five games remaining before the finals.
Bonevacia is enjoying the results as well his side's approach.
"We're playing attacking football, free in our minds and going forward, and with a really good defending formation," he said.
"There's so much free space to go and do your own thing - it's great.
"But the main thing is, I've found my fun back to play, and to enjoy the game. That's helped me a lot to feel free to play well."
Bonevacia's vision, pace and skill have created numerous goals for fellow Phoenix attackers Nathan Burns and Roy Krishna, and the 23 year-old has found the net three times himself.
One of those goals came from a spectacular long-range free kick in Wellington's 3-2 win over the Victory earlier this month, an effort the Dutchman found particularly satisfying.
"I knew I had it in my locker but I couldn't use it. But now I can, and it was a beautiful goal," he said.
