ANZASW Media Presence

Social Workers speaking for themselves Part 2

Please view the 2nd episode in our series of films asking: What is social work in Aotearoa New Zealand? In this 5 minute video social workers discuss why they joined the profession

Assaults, abuse against OT social workers harm us all

Thursday, 3 October 2019, 1:09 pm Press Release: Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers ANZASW deplores the abuse directed against social workers at Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Children, highlighted in the media this week. As reported by Radio New Zealand, a spike in abuse over the past year to June includes 39 physical assaults; since May, there have been 30 documented […]

Social Workers speaking for themselves

Wednesday, 25 September 2019, 1:53 pm Press Release: Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa Today the Association celebrates Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workers Day 2019, by amplifying the voices of social workers as they share their knowledge of the profession. Their explanations are contained in a film, the first of a series, embedded in […]

Better Social Work for Māori: A Personal Matariki Reflection by Hori Ahomiro

Tuesday, 25 June 2019, 1:46 pm Press Release: Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers Delivering better social work for Māori – a personal Matariki reflection Hori Ahomiro Kia ora koutou katoa Today is the beginning of a period known as Matariki, heralded by the sighting of seven stars in the Matariki cluster, which can usually be spotted during atapō (before dawn), […]

ANZASW observes the International Day Against Homophobia…

The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers observes the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2019.Today, we celebrate sexual and gender diversity in our communities and welcome the fact that more people than ever are free to identify their gender and love whom they choose. We welcome the progress that has occurred, both in Aotearoa New Zealand and worldwide, in terms of these fundamental human rights.

Why be a Member of ANZASW

Members of ANZASW speak about the benefits of being part of the professional body for Social Work in Aotearoa New Zealand.

ANZASW on World Social Work Day 2019

As the professional body for Social Work in Aotearoa NZ we are proud to offer this video on World Social Work Day, addressing recent events and this year’s theme- the importance of promoting human connection.

ANZASW film on Gender Equality and Social Work with Women / Wāhine

March is host to International Women’s Day 2019 and Women’s History Month. ANZASW has produced this short film on gender equity in Aotearoa New Zealand and some of the ways in which social workers work collaboratively with women / wāhine

ANZASW on Celebrating Human Rights

ANZASW shines a spotlight on the relationship between human rights and social work

ANZASW on the International Day of Disabled Persons

On the International Day of Disabled Persons 2018 the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) celebrates the diverse disabled population of these islands and reaffirms its commitment to opposing all forms of discrimination against the community…

ANZASW Video for White Ribbon Day

White Ribbon Day, November 25th, is the International Day for the Elimination of Men’s Violence Towards Women. The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) fully supports the aims of the day and the White Ribbon campaign as a whole.

ANZASW on World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse

Today ANZASW thanks members and colleagues in both the social work community and other professions who work tirelessly to protect the children / tamariki of our islands.

This film takes a look at some of the ways in which social workers walk with children / tamariki and their caregivers to help nurture lasting solutions to risks that they face.

ANZASW celebrates Living Wage Week

The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) welcomes Living Wage week and supports the Living Wage campaign. Our film outlines our position and features member Luis Arevalo and ANZASW Communications and Advocacy Coordinator Emanuel Stoakes

ANZASW Celebrates Living Wage Week

The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) welcomes Living Wage week and supports the Living Wage campaign. Our film outlines our position and features member Luis Arevalo and ANZASW Communications and Advocacy Coordinator Emanuel Stoakes

ANZASW acknowledges Stroke Awareness Week

Stroke awareness week was 2-8 October 2018.
ANZASW welcomes efforts to raise awareness
About the impact that strokes can have on individuals, their partners and their whanau/family and how to prevent strokes and support those recovering.

ANZASW Statement on Pink Ribbon Appeal and Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) supports the Pink Ribbon street appeal which begins today, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Today we pay tribute to survivors, those living with the condition and their families / whānau. We also acknowledge those who have lost their lives to breast cancer and all those who have to live with such loss. It is difficult to find a community in this country that has not been impacted by some type of carcinoma; breast cancer remains one of the most frequently diagnosed forms of the disease for women in Aotearoa New Zealand.

ANZASW Celebrates International Day for Older Persons

ANZASW Celebrates International Day for Older Persons

ANZASW Observes World Alzheimer’s Month

ANZASW produced this video for World Alzheimer’s Month 2018 As the month comes to a close, the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) pays tribute to members who have worked so hard to support those with Alzheimer’s and their carers and promote awareness of the condition across our society- not only this September, but on a daily basis. […]

ANZASW Reflections on Matariki & Indigenous Models of Social Work

Kia ora, ngā mihi ki a koutou Over recent weeks Matariki was celebrated in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Association has produced a short film that celebrates Matariki while reflecting on the development of indigenous models of social work practice and the experience of Tangata Whenua members over their careers. We have tried to present an honest, critically-minded kōrero about the […]

ANZASW Reflections for International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

ANZASW has released the following short video for International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2018:   The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) recognises the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples as a time for reflection. As we reflect on this day, which occurred earlier this month, we consider the United Nations Declaration on the Rights […]

Reflections on Matariki and Indigenous Models of Social Work

Over recent weeks Matariki was celebrated in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Association has produced a short film that celebrates Matariki while reflecting on the development of indigenous models of social work practice and the experience of Tangata Whenua members over their careers. We have tried to present an honest, critically-minded kōrero about the problems of the past which feed into the present, such as colonisation, institutional racism and pākehā domination of the sector, while also acknowledging the progress that has been achieved.

ANZASW Presentation on the Social Work Registration Legislation Bill

Lucy Sandford Reed, ANZASW’s Chief Executive, gave a presentation to the ANZASW Canterbury branch on Friday 25th May on the Social Work Registration Legislation Bill and its implications for social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. At ANZASW we believe that elder persons should be honoured, celebrated and, where necessary, protected. On days such as this, we should all be mindful of the struggles that many of our elders face.

The World Health Organisation defines elder abuse as “a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.”

Elder abuse can express itself in many ways; broadly speaking, there are three main categories of abuse: financial, physical (including sexual) and psychological.

Neglect- not providing for essential needs- is another form of abuse that is all too common.

The issue of elder abuse and neglect is deeply connected to social justice: no fair society should tolerate the deprivation or mistreatment of those who have contributed to it the longest. For this reason, ANZASW believes that more resources should be put into combating elder abuse and neglect.

ANZASW Celebrates Social Workers March 2018

This video is the product of several weeks filming with social workers and talking to the public in Wellington and Christchurch.

It is intended to promote the profession and to show a “human face” to social work as well as to correct misperceptions about social workers “taking people’s kids away” which is a popular cliché. 
The film will be shared widely on social media today and over the next few weeks, while other material (including interviews) will be used for shorter promotional pieces which we will look to release in the near future.

ANZASW Statement on World Social Justice Day

The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) today celebrates the World Day of Social Justice.
Aotearoa New Zealand has a proud history of advancing the cause of progress: for example, we hold the distinction as the first nation on earth to grant votes to women thanks to the pioneering struggle of Kate Sheppard and the woman’s suffrage movement in the late nineteenth century.
Social workers are at the forefront of the fight for human rights and social justice in society; it is a profession that holds these principles at its core.