ANZASW Social Work Awards 2026 – Category Descriptions

1. Te Ao Māori Rangatiratanga Award

This award recognises outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact in social work grounded in te ao Māori and rangatiratanga. It acknowledges Māori social workers, teams, or initiatives that demonstrate self-determination, culturally grounded practice, and transformative outcomes for whānau, hapū, and iwi.

Rangatiratanga reflects leadership that is relational, values-driven, and committed to the wellbeing of present and future generations, enabling communities to define and realise their own pathways forward.

Recipients of this award will demonstrate:

• Practice or innovation anchored in mātauranga Māori, tikanga, and whanaungatanga
• Leadership that advances Māori aspirations and authority in social work
• Tangible outcomes that strengthen whānau wellbeing and collective futures
• Courageous or transformative approaches that challenge inequities and uplift Māori-led solutions

2. Moana Pacific Leadership Award

This award honours excellence in social work leadership and innovation that is grounded in Moana Pacific worldviews, values, and ways of working. It celebrates Pacific social workers, teams, or initiatives that strengthen wellbeing across Pacific communities in Aotearoa and beyond.

Moana Pacific leadership is relational, collective, and rooted in connection, cultural identity, and intergenerational wellbeing, recognising that people, families, and communities are interconnected across time and space.

Recipients of this award will demonstrate:

• Leadership grounded in Pacific values, language(s), and cultural frameworks
• Innovation that enhances outcomes for Pacific families and communities
• Practice that strengthens identity, belonging, and collective wellbeing
• Contribution to Pacific-led solutions and leadership within the profession 

3. Social Work Quality & Whānau-Centred Innovation Award

This award recognises excellence in social work practice where quality is demonstrated through strong relational practice, meaningful engagement with whānau, and innovation that leads to improved outcomes.

It honours individuals, teams, or organisations who:

• Deliver high-quality, ethical, and relational social work practice grounded in partnership with whānau
• Demonstrate innovation that responds to the needs, experiences, and aspirations of people and communities
• Centre whānau voice and participation in decision-making, service design, or delivery
• Achieve measurable and/or meaningful impact for individuals, whānau, and communities
• Strengthen practice, services, or systems in ways that contribute to the future of social work

4. Te Ao Hangarau Technology Award

This award recognises excellence in the use of technology, digital innovation, or data-driven approaches that enhance social work practice and outcomes.

Recipients will demonstrate:

• Creative and effective use of technology or digital tools in social work
• Innovation that improves access, engagement, or service delivery
• Ethical, inclusive, and culturally responsive application of technology
• Contribution to the future of digitally enabled social work practice

5. Social Work Research and Education Award

This award recognises excellence in research, education, and knowledge development that strengthens the social work profession and advances social outcomes.

It acknowledges individuals, teams, or institutions that:

• Contribute significant research, mātauranga, publications, practice wisdom or evidenceinformed innovation
• Advance social work education, training, or workforce development
• Strengthen links between theory, practice, and community impact
• Promote research that advances social change, equity, or innovation

Research awards in the sector commonly emphasise contributing new knowledge, advancing practice, and supporting social change outcomes.

6. Social Justice and Human Rights Award

This award honours social workers who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to social justice, human rights, and equity.

It recognises those who:

• Challenge systems of injustice, discrimination, and inequity
• Advocate for marginalised, vulnerable, or underserved communities
• Influence policy, systems, or public discourse
• Embody the core values of social work, including dignity, human rights, and collective wellbeing

Social work awards globally emphasise advancing equity, social justice, and anti-oppressive practice as central to professional excellence.

7. Kāpuia – Rising Social Worker Award

This award recognises outstanding emerging social work practitioners who demonstrate early excellence, strong potential, and a deep commitment to the values of the profession, typically within 
their first five years of practice.

Grounded in the concept of kāpuia (to ignite, kindle, or bring forth) this award celebrates practitioners who are in the early stages of their social work careers and are already making a meaningful impact in their practice, workplaces, and communities.

It acknowledges those who show promise as future leaders and contributors to the ongoing strength and transformation of social work in Aotearoa.

Recipients of this award will demonstrate:

• High-quality, values-driven social work practice early in their career
• Commitment to ethical practice, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and social justice
• Initiative, leadership potential, and openness to ongoing learning and development
• Positive impact on individuals, whānau, or communities
• Emerging contribution to the profession through innovation, collaboration, or leadership7. The John Fry Supreme Award
• The John Fry Supreme Award is the highest honour of the ANZASW Social Work Awards.
• Selected from the winners of all categories, this award recognises the individual, team, or initiative that has demonstrated exceptional overall excellence, impact, and contribution to the social work profession in Aotearoa.
• It honours:
• Outstanding leadership and sustained impact
• Excellence that transcends a single domain or category
• A contribution that significantly advances social work, social justice, and community wellbeing

The John Fry Supreme Award

The John Fry Supreme Award is the highest honour of the ANZASW Social Work Awards.

Selected from the winners of all categories, this award recognises the individual, team, or initiative that has demonstrated exceptional overall excellence, impact, and contribution to the social work profession in Aotearoa.

It honours:

• Outstanding leadership and sustained impact
• Excellence that transcends a single domain or category
• A contribution that significantly advances social work, social justice, and community wellbeing

Nominations close on Friday 10 July