Kaihautu
Council for Social Work Education Aotearoa New Zealand

I have been involved in the social services sector since 1993, initially in the UK and since 2003 in Aotearoa. My practice background is mostly in the mental health sector, but I have also worked in older persons health, the intellectual disability sector, hospital based social work, and community development. I was the Chief Executive of the professional association ANZASW from 2006-2009. I became a social work academic in 2009 and have been the programme leader for the Bachelor of Social Work at Ara and Bethlehem Tertiary Institute. I am currently one of two Kaihautu for the Council of Social Work Education, which represents the 18 institutions that offer recognised social work qualifications.

I was first involved with a national working group reviewing social work education with TEC in 2009. At that time, I was also involved in working with the social services ITO to develop a national social work qualification. I have been part of reviewing the BSW at Ara on two occasions. I have strong networks in the social work sector but nationally and internationally. I currently sit on the Social Work Alliances, which is a cross sector peak body that advocates on behalf of the profession.

I would like to see the NIAG articulate a vision and appropriate standards for high quality and innovative social work education that weaves together both mātauranga Māori and western knowledge to ensure culturally responsive social work practice across Aotearoa.