The SWRB congratulates SWRB Board member Rose Henderson for her inclusion in the New Years Honours list 2024. Rose was awarded an ONZM – Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit – for her contributions to social work and health.  

Rose Henderson has a long history in the social work profession. She began as a social worker in the Invercargill office of the Department of Social Welfare in the late 1970s. After working in a range of social work positions in Southland, Rose then moved north to Christchurch, working in the Women’s and Mental health fields. After a number of leadership roles, in 2009 she became a Director of Allied Health for Canterbury DHB, now Te Whatu Ora in Canterbury. She has provided clinical leadership in various disaster response and recovery roles.  

Rose has made significant contributions to social work in New Zealand and internationally through voluntary governance roles. Rose was President of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers, from 2003 to 2009, and again in 2016 and is now a Life Member of her professional body. During this time, she was instrumental in the establishment of the SWRB in 2003.  

Rose is also a Past Vice-President of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and Immediate Past President of the Asia-Pacific region of IFSW. 

Rose has been a Board Member of the SWRB since 2019.  

SWRB Chair Shannon Pakura expressed her pleasure that Rose’s contribution to the social work profession has been acknowledged. “Rose has been at the forefront of national and international social work for many years. She has always ensured that Aotearoa’s social work voice is heard and valued by others. Congratulations Rose; thank you for the significant contribution you have made to our profession.” 

New Year Honours List 2024 – Citations for Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit