Pōwhiri: a safe space of cultural encounter to assist transnational social workers in the profession in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

The Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand (Māori) believe that, when any visitor or guest arrives in their land, that they should be invited and welcomed. This helps to establish a relationship between those of the land and those who have chosen to live in this land. New Zealand's population is increasingly multi-ethnic and inclusive of a broad range of transnational social workers and yet there are very few programmes or frameworks that assist them to navigate these borders. Instead, transnational social workers are left to struggle when they arrive and struggle further when they find themselves working with the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand. Social work practice in Aotearoa New Zealand is informed by understandings of indigeneity and moral obligations to Te Tiriti ō Waitangi, the founding document of New Zealand society. For ‘responsible hosts’ fostering positive relationships, a process of cultural encounter is needed for transnational social workers whereby they can be better integrated into their new country, their communities and into their work as social workers.