Kei aku nui, kei aku rahi, kei ngā ringa raupā, tēnā koutou katoa 

To those of importance, those who work with communities, those with callused hands, greetings and acknowledgements to you. 

Nei rā he taonga mou — he whatu raranga nō ngā whakaaro, ngā wheako, me ngā ūpoko pakaru. E kore noa iho tēnei e tū hei pūrongo, engari hei kohinga mātauranga, hei tohu aroha i te mahi ngātahi. Ka tuku hōnore mātou mō tēnei koha me ngā ringa raupā, ngā ngākau mahaki, me ngā hinengaro nui i waihanga i a ia, hei arataki i a tātou i roto i ngā mahi nui katoa.

The report is a taonga — a woven tapestry of thought, experience, and dedication. It holds not just information, but the collective wisdom and mahi of those who have contributed. We honour this koha and the hands, hearts, and minds that shaped it, recognising its value as a guiding light in the work we carry forward together.

The SWRB published its fourth social worker workforce Spotlight Report today. This report reflects the voice and experience of social workers employed by Iwi-based/Kaupapa Māori organisations.  

We acknowledge the mahi and dedication of this group of social workers. In common with social workers across the profession, they are motivated to make a difference to the individuals, whānau and communities they serve. They are a qualified, skilled and experienced workforce.  

The report is based on the findings from the Annual SWRB Social Workers Workforce Survey 2024 and forms part of the suite   workforce reports, reflecting the voices of practising social workers, social work education providers and employers of social workers.  

In the annual survey, 8% of survey respondents report that they are employed by Iwi-based/Kaupapa Māori organisations. This spotlight report reflects their responses to the survey. It highlights the range of workforce demographics, and the challenges and opportunities reported by social workers employed by Iwi-based/Kaupapa Māori organisations.  

Some facts and figures about this workforce 

• Social workers employed by Iwi-based/Kaupapa Māori organisations made up 9% of the practising social worker workforce in 2024. 

• Iwi-based/Kaupapa Māori organisations were the fourth-largest social worker employer type in 2024, after NGOs, Oranga Tamariki and health-based organisations. 

• Most survey participants employed by Iwi-based/Kaupapa Māori organisations worked in urban or suburban settings. However, more worked in rural settings (18%) when compared to respondents in the full 2024 workforce survey sample (10%). Fewer than 5% reported working across the motu in national roles. 

• Most survey participants employed by Iwi-based/Kaupapa Māori organisations (90%) reported being employed in health and/or social services, or community-based/NGO work settings, and 82% reported working in frontline service delivery roles. 

The Spotlight Report is intended for use by key decision-makers and those who work with Iwi-based/Kaupapa Māori organisations delivering health and/or social services and programmes to support their communities. It forms part of the suite of workforce reports and the evidence base used by the SWRB in its Lead Agency role for workforce planning for all social workers. 

The first three Spotlight Reports were based on the findings from the 2023 Annual Workforce Survey for the largest social worker employer groupings: Oranga Tamariki, health/Hauora-based organisations and non-government organisations (NGOs). We expect to publish an additional Spotlight Report from the 2024 survey with an education focus. Specifically, it will be based on voices of social workers who report that they are employed in tertiary education-related roles, at those institutes delivering SWRB prescribed social work qualifications, and is due for publication soon.  

Whilst this suite of Spotlight Reports collectively highlights some consistent themes for social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand, it also reflects the differences social workers report in their mahi, depending on their employer, region of work, field of practice and client group.  

In publishing this Spotlight, in this week of Matariki celebration “Matariki mā Puanga”, we acknowledge our past, celebrate the present and look forward to a bright and prosperous future. The phrase Matariki mā Puanga is a reminder that regardless of our different backgrounds, origins, and practices we use this celebration to come together and share the many unique elements that shape our identity. 

 Read the Spotlight Report:

Workforce Survey 2024 - Iwi-based/Kaupapa Māori organisations Spotlight Report

I a tātou e kawe ana i tēnei taonga, māna tātou e whakahihiko, e wero, e ārahi hoki i runga i te ara kei te heke mai. E tuku mihi maioha ana mātou ki te hunga i koha i tō rātou wā, o rātou whakaaro, me tā rātou mātauranga kia puta ai tēnei pūrongo. Ka nui te mihi hoki ki a koe, e te kaipānui, mō tō urupare, mō tō whai wā ki te ruku hōhonu ki ngā kōrero — māu hoki e whakamana ana i tēnei mahi.

As we carry this taonga forward, may it continue to inspire, challenge, and guide our journey. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who contributed their time, whakaaro, and expertise to bring this report to life. We also thank you, the reader, for engaging with its kōrero — your time and reflection help give this mahi its true meaning.

Published 18 June 2025; updated 19 June 2025