The Social Workers Registration Board is delighted to welcome new Board member Lois Hutchinson.

Lois has over 30 years’ senior management experience in the public sector working in health, censorship and transport, including work as:

• the statutory decision maker for the Video Recordings Authority and Deputy Chief Censor at the Office of Film and Literature Classification
• General Manager, Hospital Services at Midcentral DHB
• Chief Executive of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC).

Working in these sectors, Lois developed particular expertise in the delivery of mandated services, both domestic and international, that operate to avoid or reduce harms to people and organisational operating environments. Through her work at TAIC and alongside associated international treaty organisations, Lois also has expertise in organisational strategy and performance with a focus on assessment of safe systems operations in the aviation, rail and maritime sectors.

Lois is currently the Deputy Chairperson of the Radiation Safety Advisory Council. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Health and Safety (Hon.) and holds degrees of Master of Public Policy from Victoria University of Wellington, and Master of Science Managing Organisational Performance from Cranfield University, UK.

The Social Workers Registration Board welcomed to her first Board meeting in June.

Shannon Pakura, Chair of the Board said:

“The Board welcomes Lois to the Board. She brings extensive governance, regulatory and operational experience and we look forward to her joining us.”

On her appointment to the Board, Lois says:

“My working life has been in the state sector working in health, censorship and transport. In these sectors my work entailed developing the crown entities I was involved with to be capable of delivering mandated services with a particular focus on reducing harms, and improving the health, safety and wellbeing of New Zealanders. Part of my work involved working under international treaty standards and operating procedures to guide harmonisation of global practice of relevant professions so that safe practice could be assured wherever the call for professional service came from.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to participate in the social work profession’s evolving journey. Social work is a keystone profession in safeguarding the public.”