Kia tutuki ai ngā whainga me ngā tumanako kia mau tonu i ngā mahi
Through working together our goals and objectives will be achieved
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Kia tutuki ai ngā whainga me ngā tumanako kia mau tonu i ngā mahi
Through working together our goals and objectives will be achieved
Join here
Arohamai koutou,
Ko te mamae nui o te tukinotanga ki te whakapapa, he reanga, he pau katoa, he taonga tuku iho e noho ana i roto i tātou whānau, e whakangāro ana i ngā hiahia me ngā Wawata kia noho kia noho hei whānau, me ngā hapū me ngā iwi pai.
The intense pain of abuse to whakapapa is intergenerational, all-consuming, and a living trauma-filled legacy that lives in our whanau, destroying desires to be the best whānau, hapū and iwi.
Ko te ngākau pouri ka mahara tatou tatou ki te mamae me te kino o ngā reanga maha o ngā kaimahi toko i te ora ki etahi atu whānau me ngā whānau e pa ana ki ngā reanga e mau tonu ana i enei rā. Ko ngā mate i pa mai ki ngā whakapapa me ngā mokopuna o inanahi kua kitea i roto i ngā take o te whānau i enei rā. Moe mai rā e rangatira Ka mau a ANZASW i tenei waahi taumaha me te herea ki te whakatika i ngā take o nāianei me te whakakore i ngā momo mahi kino katoa me te mau tonu ki enei tikanga.
It is with a saddened heart we recall the hurt and damage caused by social work practice over many generations to whānau and families who have suffered generational trauma. The damage caused to whakapapa and mokopuna of yesterday is revealed in the issues whanau have today. ANZASW holds this heavy space and are committed to addressing the current issues and eliminating all forms of abuse and steadfastly hold to these tenets.
Te Naihi Wilson
ANZASW Kaumātua
The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) has carefully considered the findings and recommendations of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission. The report details the abuse suffered by those in state care and the care of faith-based institutions during the inquiry period, from 1950-1999. Through action or inaction, social workers failed those we should have protected.
On behalf of the Association, we deeply apologise to survivors of abuse in care for the failures of social workers to listen, protect, and uphold the values of the profession during the inquiry period.
Since 1964, ANZASW has been a professional body for social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand, supporting ethical and quality social work practice and advocating for social justice, human rights and human dignity. We should have been better prepared in ensuring safety and care during the inquiry period, and for this we are deeply sorry. We failed to challenge systems that harmed Tamariki and Rangatahi, and we failed to protect those most in need.
The Royal Commission’s findings describe social work practices that failed to uphold the values of our profession. The practices of some social workers were unacceptable, were without any compassion, and fell far short of the standards that should have been met. The abuse, neglect, and loss of identity suffered by children in care was at times contributed to or made worse by decisions made by social workers. Decisions should have been made in the best interests of children in care, but too often were not.
We accept the findings of the Royal Commission and acknowledge the devastating impact on the lives of survivors. We did not do enough to stop harm or change harmful systems and now acknowledge that many social workers failed to meet even these basic expectations. They failed to listen to Tamariki, missed signs of harm, and did not speak up. These failures had serious and lasting impacts. For that, we are deeply sorry.
Some social workers upheld racist care and protection policies that broke up Māori and Pacific whānau, causing trauma that continues today. Many survivors courageously disclosed abuse to social workers but were dismissed or disbelieved. Others were removed from their whānau through practices that failed to acknowledge their race, disability, or identity, often severing their connection to whakapapa and cultural belonging.
The Commission also acknowledged social workers who tried to prevent harm but were silenced or powerless. Some left the profession, burdened by what they saw but couldn’t stop. We acknowledge them and encourage them to seek support through services listed on the Abuse in Care Royal Commission website.
To survivors who still carry the pain, we offer our deepest sympathy. The loss of childhood, dignity, and life was described in tragic detail. We are profoundly sorry. We will actively dedicate ourselves to strengthening our relationship with the Survivors Experience Service so that survivors who have or continue to experience trauma have clear and accessible support pathways. We also reaffirm our partnership with the Social Workers Registration Board, recognising their role in regulating our profession and upholding safe, accountable practice.
These harms are not just in the past. Abuse in care continues. In the 2023 financial year alone, 519 children in care experienced incidences of harm (Oranga Tamariki, 2023). This shows why urgent change is still required.
In 2003, the Social Workers Registration Act introduced the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB). Since 2021, all social workers must be registered and regularly checked to ensure they are safe to practise. Ongoing accountability is essential.
We recognise there has been confusion between the roles of ANZASW and the SWRB. From now on, we will ensure that survivors and whānau raising concerns are heard and supported, and these concerns are escalated directly to the SWRB or police if needed.
We will ensure that all members must agree to practise our core values and ethical standards set out in Ngā Tikanga Matatika. Being a member means actively taking a stand against harm, upholding and living our shared values, and demonstrating accountability through meaningful action, not just having good intentions.
We will strengthen Ngā Tikanga Matatika. This will include clearer expectations to help keep tamariki and whānau safe in care, improve record-keeping, and making sure Te Tiriti o Waitangi is part of everything we do, including protecting people, being fair, and supporting Māori to lead in their own ways. Finally, we will speak out with purpose in response to harm that still occurs. We will not stay silent. We will hold our profession and the government to account.
The Royal Commission’s findings and recommendations have been a long time coming. For too long, survivors have borne the weight of their experiences without adequate acknowledgment or redress. Today, we actively dedicate ourselves to change, doing everything we can to make sure these failures are never repeated. We will strengthen our practice and take responsibility so that every social worker earns the trust of the people they serve.
This apology is offered with humility. We know it must be backed by action. Our work from today will reflect our active commitment to learning from the past and rebuilding trust with those we have failed.
Together, we are a community of social workers who develop and support our professional identity, promoting and advocating for social change and justice.
ANZASW seeks to strengthen professionalism through our vision and purpose, enhanced by our Uara: Rangatiratanga, Whanaungatanga, Mātātoa, Wairuatanga, Manaakitanga, Aroha, Kōtahitanga, and implemented through our three Pou: Whakawhānaungatanga, Whakamana, and Rangatiratanga.
ANZASW is focused on leading meaningful change within our social work profession; change grounded in action, accountability, and values. This apology signals a deep commitment to transformation across all aspects of our work.
We will:
We will develop and implement an ANZASW membership framework, distinct from our existing ethical and regulatory standards, to more clearly reflect what it means to belong to this professional community. Grounded in our Uara/Values, this framework will support a shift toward deeper relational accountability and collective care. It will be shaped in response to this apology, as part of our active dedication to cultural and systemic change.
The framework will include:
This marks our active dedication to earn trust where it has been broken, to be accountable for the role our profession has played in harm, and to lead change that is grounded in care, justice, and collective responsibility.
To those who suffered due to our failures, we are truly sorry.
Ma te haehaa e haere tatou i mua ma te puai - with humility we will move forward in strength.
Sharyn Roberts
President, ANZASW
Nathan Chong-Nee
Chief Executive, ANZASW