The SWRB is delighted to announce that the Board has appointed a new Registrar: Hamish McDouall. He joins the SWRB on 1 May.

Hamish brings with him a wealth of experience from his distinguished and varied career, which includes serving as Mayor of Whanganui from 2016-2022. He studied law and arts at the University of Otago, and after a period of living overseas returned to his birthplace of Whanganui working as a barrister and solicitor in corporate, family and community law. Hamish was elected a councillor on Whanganui District Council in 2010 before his election as Mayor in 2016. He is a published author.

Hamish values his community connections, furthered during his time in local government where he built enduring relationships with iwi, the voluntary sector, education and health sectors, and a range of other organisations and people across the region.

Shannon Pakura, Chair of the Board welcomes Hamish saying: “We welcome Hamish to the SWRB and acknowledge the experience that he brings. The Board looks forward to working with him as we journey to being a modern regulator of social workers.”

Hamish says he is looking forward to the new role, and the challenges and opportunities it brings. “I have been looking for an opportunity which allows me to keep contributing to making New Zealand a better place. Social workers do such important mahi with some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people. Working to enhance the professionalism of the sector and ensure public safety feels right.”

The role of Registrar is critical for the SWRB reporting directly to the Board. The Registrar has responsibilities defined in the Social Workers Registration Act 2003. This includes maintaining the Register of Social Workers, and issuing Practising Certificates.

Hamish was appointed following the resignation of our previous Registrar Paul Kirby earlier this year.

Published 4 May 2023