We were delighted to welcome Professor Ron Paterson (Ngāti Raukawa and Scottish whakapapa) to the SWRB office recently for a conversation about regulatory practice and what good regulation looks like in action. Professor Paterson brings a remarkable depth of experience to these questions. As a former Health and Disability Commissioner, the author of The Good… Read more »
Category: Blog, Articles
Opening doors with Marcia Ranginui Charlton
Ko Panekire te maunga Ko Waikaremoana te wai kaukau o ōku tupuna Ko Ngai Tūhoe me Ngāti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana ōku iwi Ko Marcia Ranginui Charlton ahau For Marcia, social work has never been about fixing people or directing their lives. It is about walking alongside, showing up, staying present, and honouring the mana of those she works with. Marcia is one of a growing number of social entrepreneur social workers who have established community… Read more »
Understanding the Fit and Proper Assessment
As part of your application for registration, we assess whether you’re a fit and proper person to practise social work. This is a legal requirement under section 6 of the Social Workers Registration Act 2003 (the “Act”). It helps protect the public and maintain trust in the social work profession. Most applications proceed smoothly. In… Read more »
Your Social Work Practice and Practising Certificate – what you need to know
Your PC isn’t just paperwork – it’s part of how we maintain our professional standards and protect the people we serve. By keeping your PC current and practising within your scope, you’re playing your part in strengthening social work as a respected profession. What benefit does a Practising Certificate offer? Having a current PC shows… Read more »
Questions and answers about BTI’s 3yr BSW
Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI)-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS Q: What has the SWRB Board decided about BTI’s new Bachelor of Social Work? A: On 10 November 2025, the Board approved in principle the prescription of BTI’s new three-year Bachelor of Social Work degree, pending final fact-checking. The final approval was granted on 1 December 2025. The degree will… Read more »
Beyond ‘Any Job Will Do’
Your new-grad social work survival kit by Amy Ross, RSW When you graduate and are looking for your first job as a social worker, it is really easy for the focus to be just on getting a job, any job. Fair enough too, given the cost of living, the financial pressures of study and the… Read more »
