He ara pūkenga, he ara tauwhiro, hei whakamana mātā waka
The many pathways of knowledge, the many pathways of social work, upholding the dignity of all
In this Onboard:
- Foreword from Sarah Clark
- Whakawhiti kōrero – upcoming engagement hui
- Workforce survey open until 25 July
- Protecting the public and profession – non-registered social workers
- SWRB brings together external advisory group for strategic advice
- Applications for a social worker member of the SWRB Board member open
- Applications for social worker members of the Social Workers Disciplinary Tribunal open
- Highlighting our recently published spotlight reports
Tēnā koutou,
First of all, I want to acknowledge those affected by the recent flooding in different parts of the motu. Social workers are often at the front line of responding, in supporting displaced whānau and communities while managing their own circumstances. It’s a hard balance, and thank you for your mahi with all the challenges that the work brings.
As we enter the second half of 2025, we’ve published our performance expectations for the year ahead (download the Statement of Performance Expectations). There are two significant pieces of work where we would really appreciate your input: the review of the Social Workers Registration Act 2003, and development of the Social Worker Workforce Strategy and Action Plan. The upcoming webinars detailed in this Onboard are one way to engage with us. We’re also meeting directly with sector leaders and stakeholders, and will share what we’re hearing in future editions.
Your perspectives matter. The challenges you face daily, the solutions you’re developing, and the gaps you’re seeing will shape the advice we provide to Ministers.
Finally, if you haven’t done so already, please complete the workforce survey. Your responses aren’t just data collection – they’re an opportunity to have your experience seen and heard.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Sarah Clark
Chief Executive
Whakawhiti kōrero – upcoming engagement hui
Amy Ross, the SWRB’s special advisor social work, emailed recently to invite you to our upcoming engagement hui. Amy will be joined by SWRB colleagues to share information and answer your questions about some important mahi under way that aims to contribute to the future of the social work profession. Getting involved and making sure that the voices of the profession and those we work with and for is important. Your experiences, expertise and ideas are valuable and will help shape advice to Ministers.
Introducing the Social Worker Workforce Strategy and Action Plan
- Wednesday, 23 July, 12–1pm
Join this hui (Zoom link) - Wednesday, 30 July, 12–1pm
Join this hui (Zoom link)
The hui will follow a webinar format and be recorded. Special guests Belinda Haimoana, CEO, and Johnny Crawford, Policy Advisor, of SSPA will be attending to ask questions and provide feedback from an NGO perspective.
Review of the Social Workers Registration Act 2003
- Wednesday, 6 August, 12–1pm
Join this hui (Zoom link) - Wednesday, 27 August, 12–1pm
Join this hui (Zoom link)
Read more about the Review of the Social Workers Registration Act
More details about all upcoming engagement events are available on our website.
View all upcoming engagement events
In addition to these hui, you are invited to provide feedback through the online feedback forms provided on the web pages for this mahi. We’ll be keeping you informed about what we have heard through this engagement. We will provide updates on the website and in Onboard as well as when we have opportunities to meet kanohi ki te kanohi.
Workforce survey – open until 25 July
Thank you to everyone who has already taken part in this year’s workforce survey when renewing their Practising Certificate. The response rate has been fantastic – more than half of renewed social workers have shared their whakaaro so far.
If you were unable to complete the survey when you renewed your Practising Certificate, it’s not too late! You can still access the survey via MySWRB. We will keep it open for responses until 5pm on Friday, 25 July.
Your voice matters. Your insights on the challenges and opportunities facing social workers and the wider social work workforce are invaluable. The data and perspectives you provide through this survey inform the Annual Social Worker Workforce report that reaches ministers, government agencies, and key decision makers across the sector.
The responses we collect enable us to share valuable workforce insights – including challenges facing the sector – with policymakers, employers, and others in the social services sector. The more participants, the more representative of the sector our findings will be, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for strengthening the profession.
This will be the fourth year of gathering workforce information during the Practising Certificate renewal period. Your voices have been invaluable in helping us develop advice to Minister, including on the Social Worker Workforce Strategy and Action Plan.
Protecting the public and profession – non-registered social workers
From 1 July 2025, the SWRB became responsible for investigating concerns about unregistered people being described as social workers. This compliance function was previously the responsibility of Te Kāhui Kāhu, a business unit hosted by the Ministry of Social Development.
Files relating to historic and current investigations were handed over to the SWRB by representatives from MSD and Te Kāhui Kāhu in a formal ceremony last month. All current investigations have been transferred and will continue without delay.
Why this matters
By ensuring only registered practitioners use the title ‘social worker’, we protect both public safety and the integrity of the profession. When unregistered individuals present as social workers, it undermines professional standards and can place clients at risk. This enforcement role provides transparency for clients, protection for registered social workers, assurance for employers, and demonstrates our commitment to professional accountability.
Reporting a concern
If someone is being described as a social worker and doesn’t appear on the public Register, email us at aretheyregistered@swrb.govt.nz. To help us respond, please include:
- evidence of why you believe the person is presenting or practising as a social worker (e.g. job title, advertisements, emails)
- their contact details, or details of the organisation they work for, so we can get in touch and give them a chance to respond
- confirmation that you have already searched our public Register.
SWRB brings together external advisory group for strategic advice
Key people across the social work sector came together recently to provide the SWRB with strategic advice on significant issues facing the sector including discussing a systems approach to workforce planning.
The newly formed external advisory group is an opportunity for its members to influence and advise on the longer-term direction of the social work sector. The group includes a wide-ranging membership from professional bodies (ANZASW, TWSWA, CSWEANZ), peak bodies (SSPA, NZCSS), iwi social services and government agencies. We know everyone around the table have many calls on their time, and are appreciative of their willingness to participate. Shannon Pakura, former SWRB Chair and ANZASW life member, has been appointed as Chair.
Members are keen to provide insights using their collective expertise and knowledge to strengthen the future of social work and the social work sector. Their first discussions have covered:
- the work underway to connect those involved in social worker workforce planning, including the ongoing development of Sustainable Social Work Pathways – the Social Worker Workforce Strategy and Action Plan
- the importance of the current, five-yearly Social Workers Registration Act review process and ways the Act can work better for everyone.
At their inaugural meeting in June, the EAG agreed that: “As a sector it is time to be bold and courageous as sector leaders in addressing the workforce issues we face, while also achieving short term tangible actions.”
Applications open for a social worker member of the SWRB Board
Applications are sought for one member of the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB).
The SWRB is a Crown entity under the Crown Entities Act 2004, and the social worker regulator and lead agency for social worker workforce planning in New Zealand.
The SWRB Board comprises four social workers and three laypeople, appointed by the Minister for Social Development and Employment under the Social Workers Registration Act 2003.
Candidates are sought who are registered social workers with strong governance and regulatory experience, and, ideally, the ability to engage effectively with Pacific peoples. For more information about this role, please see the position description.
Read the position description (.docx)
Next steps
To be considered for appointment please apply by providing:
- a short cover letter
- a current curriculum vitae
- your contact details, including an email address and phone number.
As part of your application, please let us know where you saw this role advertised.
Applications are due by 5:00pm on Monday, 4 August 2025 via email to appointments@msd.govt.nz
This process is managed by the Ministry of Social Development on behalf of the Minister.
Applications open for social worker members of the Social Workers Disciplinary Tribunal
Applications are sought for two new members of the Social Workers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal).
The Tribunal considers disciplinary charges laid against registered social workers.
The Tribunal comprises a Chair, one or more Deputy Chairs, at least five registered social workers and at least one layperson. Tribunal members are appointed by the Minister for Social Development and Employment under the Social Workers Registration Act 2003.
Applicants must be registered social workers who can bring the view of a ‘reasonable social worker’ to Tribunal discussions, and who can provide input into the decisions that are drafted by the Chair or Deputy Chair. Additionally, applicants should understand the Tribunal’s role and matters likely to come before the Tribunal. For more information about this role, please see the position description.
Read the position description (.docx)
Next steps
To be considered for appointment please apply by providing:
- a short cover letter
- a current curriculum vitae
- your contact details, including an email address and phone number.
As part of your application, please let us know where you saw this role advertised.
Applications are due by 5:00pm on Monday, 4 August 2025 via email to appointments@msd.govt.nz
This process is managed by the Ministry of Social Development on behalf of the Minister.
Highlighting our recently published spotlight reports
We recently published two spotlight reports that were based off the 2024 workforce survey data: one focused on social workers reporting that they are employed by Iwi-based/Kaupapa Māori organisations, and one focused on social workers reporting their employer as a TEO delivering an SWRB-prescribed qualification.
These spotlight reports provide valuable insights into two important components of the social worker workforce.
Iwi-based/Kaupapa Māori organisations comprise the fourth-largest employer group of social workers. This report reflects the voice and experience of social workers employed by Iwi-based/Kaupapa Māori organisations.
Social workers employed by TEOs that deliver SWRB-prescribed qualifications are critical to the sustainability of the social worker workforce. They ensure that ākonga are eligible to apply for registration and well prepared to enter the workforce.
These reports, along with our other workforce publications, are available on our website.