Social Work, a Spiritual Kind of Work: Exploring the Experiences of Māori Social Workers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Although Indigenous practitioners around the world emphasise the importance of spirituality in social work, epistemic injustices often perpetuate the neglect of traditional knowledge in everyday practices. This paper explores the experiences of six Māori practitioners who work from cultural perspectives in the New Zealand context. Since these individuals subscribe to Indigenous Māori philosophies, Kaupapa Māori Theory is an important part of this study’s epistemology. The research findings provide some unique interpretations of Māori spirituality while highlighting the value of Indigenous knowledge within the broader spheres of social work practice and education. IMPLICATIONS Social work practice is decolonised through culturally responsive methods and prioritising the Indigenous voice within Australian and New Zealand social services. Social work education is strengthened through the recognition of culturally responsive pedagogical frameworks within mainstream curricula and institutes.