The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) celebrates national Social Workers Day 2018.
Today we pay tribute to all our social work colleagues. You are the super heroes, who make a difference in communities
across the country. Social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand support and assist individuals, families/whanau and
communities at the times when they are vulnerable and need assistance. Social Workers are required to deal with complex
multi-disciplinary issues, be the calm voice in circumstances when emotions are at breaking point; manage high-risk
situations and make critical life decisions often with scant information and under extreme time pressure. Despite the
complex nature of the work Social Workers are steadfast and committed to supporting service users achieve their goals
and assist them to take control of their own lives – to be self-determining.
Social workers are passionate and courageous professionals. Resilience and hope are tools of the trade. They are
highly-skilled experts who are prominent and influential across the whole of the social sector - Health, Welfare,
Education, Elder care, Social Policy development and implementation, management and regulatory areas.
Social Workers do not support the short sharp individualistic intervention strategies which only provide short-term
relief for people. Social Workers are trained to work holistically to address the underlying causes of the circumstances
people find themselves. Social Workers in New Zealand and across the globe provide hope and a reason to be optimistic.
It is about imagining and conveying what is possible with small incremental changes and being committed to supporting
effective positive changes when facing difficult, complex and often volatile situations. The work is intense and
rewarding.
ANZASW pays tribute to the PSA for their work in providing strong and continuing to advocacy for pay equity for Social
Workers who are employed by the Ministry for Children. We look forward to the time when all Social Workers that are
employed in the health and social services are fully recognized and valued for the work they undertake.
ANZASW celebrates and acknowledges the dedication, resilience and courage of Social Workers that deliver effective and
vital community and public services to New Zealand citizens.
Shannon Pakura, President of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers
ENDS
.