Whānau, hapū, iwi: Anchoring Social Work in collective responsibility

Head of School of Social Work Professor Kieran O’Donoghue say this year’s theme, Toitū te kōtahitanga, Toitū te oranga – Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing reflects on the importance of relationships across generations, communities and cultures.

“Enduring wellbeing speaks to the heart of what we do as practitioners and educators. It’s about recognising the value of history, culture, and lived experience, while supporting new leaders to emerge and shape a better future for all."

Senior lecturer, Dr Paul’e Ruwhiu, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, has just returned from presenting at the 7th International Indigenous Voices in Social Work conference in Calgary.

Drawing on the examples of young Māori political leaders Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke and Eru Kapa-Kingi, Dr Ruwhiu urges the social working profession to re-centre rangatahi as torchbearers of intergenerational wellbeing.

“I take inspiration from the strong emerging rangatahi leadership we are being exposed to currently. In my day, it was not 'cool' to be Māori, it was shameful to speak our language, and it was not accepted to be who we are. It is great to see our rangatahi being so confident in standing for what their tupuna fought for."

Dr Ruwhiu says social work starts with building whānau capacity.

“Identify the key people who can become their own social workers. That’s the true power of social work rooted in social justice” Dr Ruwhiu says.

Dr Ange Watson, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Mutunga, Taranaki Tūturu, expands kōrero through the lens of He Whāriki Haumaru, a framework for oranga ā-whānau (whānau wellness and wellbeing) developed through her PhD research.

Dr Watson’s research centres on the lived experiences of Māori social workers and their whānau, with a core focus on mokopuna ora – the wellbeing and flourishing of our grandchildren.

“When we think about the theme of Aotearoa Social Workers Day being Toitū te kōtahitanga, Toitū te oranga, mokopuna ora is absolutely vital to achieve this. It’s about reconnecting our tamariki and mokopuna with what it means to be tangata whenua through te reo Māori, kapa haka, and connection to te taiao and the whenua that nourishes them.”

Dr Watson says the social work sector’s focus needs to be on whānau, hapū, iwi and hāpori to encourage the protection, nurturing and flourishing of our mokopuna.

The session by, Associate Professor Ksenija Napan, who recently returned from delivering a keynote at the Living Values conference in Sri Lanka, will focus on the importance of social work that is kind, authentic and intentional.

Her session emphasised how the Ngā Tikanga Matatika: Social Work Code of Ethics, now grounded in Te Tiriti and mātauranga Māori, positions Aotearoa as a global leader in values-led social work practice based on the ethic of restoration.

“Te Tiriti allows all of us to be here in genuine partnership. It upholds the Indigenous wisdom and enables us to co-create a respectful and socially just world,” Dr Napan says.

The seminar also included Kaumatua and Kuia from Te Rangimarie Marae and representatives from Oranga Tamariki, Te Whatu Ora, NGOs, and the Social Workers Registration Board.