A te wa, ma te wa, kua tai mai te ra, kia tutangata tatou i roto te mana o to tatou rangatiratanga
Now and in time, in this day we stand together in our rangatiratanga.
Tangata Whenua Social Workers Association
The development of ‘by Maori for Maori’ services has grown progressively over the past twenty years. Maori practice models, Maori frameworks, Maori fields of practice and iwi/Maori social services are all assertions of rangatiratanga.
An Association of Social Workers that commits to support Maori practitioners is a natural progression of the aspiration. It has been the vision of tangata whenua practitioners within the social services sector for many years.
The need to develop an ethical framework, practice standards, competencies and professional development opportunities that acknowledge mohiotanga, matauranga, maramatanga, matatautanga and marautanga provided the impetus for the establishment of the Tangata Whenua Social Workers Association.
The seed was planted by the visionaries, nurtured by the foundation members and its growth will be evident to all.
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2025Join us this September to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week). Born of activism, the week grew from a single ‘Māori Language Day’ set up in 1972. The seeds of a full week dedicated to te reo Māori were planted in 1974. By 1975 Te Wiki had found its footing and was off! Its growth and gains are what we celebrate 50 years on. Te Wiki takes place from 14 – 20 September 2025.
