Tangata Whenua Takawaenga O Aotearoa: A Collaborative Partnership that Embraces Cultural Differences while Adhering and Maintaining the Core Principles of Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers
Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social workers is committed to excellence in Social work in all realms of the profession. The Association is actively involved in ensuring that its members have mechanisms to monitor "Best Practice" through adherence to "Code of Ethics". A unique aspect of ANZASW is the working relationship between Tangata Whenua (People of the Land) including other cultures that exist in New Zealand.
Under the Treaty of Waitangi (a living document), whose principles talk of Partnership, Protection and Participation the Association strives to put into action these principles. Partnership can be seen through the representation of Tangata Whenua in the various committees and on the Executive National Council. Participation is again at all levels within the Association. Protection is an important principle as it ensures the retention of tangata whenua cultural beliefs, values and process. An example of this is the Niho Taniwha - Tangata whenua Competency Assessment Process.
Aside from the Niho Taniwha model at a recent National Conference the ANZASW membership in conjunction with the Aotearoa Board of Competency debated the future of the ANZASW competency assessment process in the environment of statutory registration.
The workshop is able to provide an overview of the new structure included in the decision making process integral to honoring the partnership between Tangata Whenua and other Cultures. The process of shared roles at Executive Management level while maintaining a focus on core business is quite unique within ANZASW Aotearoa. The structure ensures that Tangata Whenua plays a pivotal role while maintaining a significant profile within ANZASW under the auspices of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The Tangata whenua Caucus of ANZASW will provide an interactive workshop for participants to contribute and thereby enrich each others experience through the use of visual audio, oratory processes.