The Registrar is on site in Wellington, New Zealand, covering key highlights and insights from CLEAR’s 8th International Congress on Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Across the regulatory sector, there’s growing recognition that meaningful regulation depends on understanding the communities regulators serve. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) has reshaped its approach through He Arapaki, the organisation’s Māori Development Strategy and the foundation of its inaugural Regulatory Strategy. At CLEAR’s International Congress, Sarah Clark and Bobby Bryan shared how this work is influencing regulatory culture, practice and decision-making.
Clark introduced the whakataukī that guides the organisation: He ara pūkenga, he ara tauwhiro, hei whakamana mātā waka. The many pathways of knowledge, the many pathways of social work, to uphold the dignity of all. She reflected that this foundation resonates across regulatory sectors because, as she noted, “we are all here to uphold the dignity of those we work for, the public and the profession.”
Clark described a profession shaped by deep complexity. One quarter of practising social workers identify as Māori, and many work in communities where Māori make up the majority of those receiving services. Regulation must reflect these realities. She highlighted that ensuring practitioners are safe and competent to work with Māori is both a practical necessity and a legislative requirement, adding that SWRB’s obligations are “not just a moral or ethical question but also pragmatic” because of the communities social workers serve.
Mandatory registration, introduced in 2021 after many years of voluntary regulation, prompted the organisation to examine whether its policies, standards and internal culture aligned with its responsibilities. Clark described this as a turning point for SWRB, saying, “We realised we needed to get a bit more sorted about this,” which led to focused work on a Māori strategy, new internal roles, a guiding whakataukī and organisational values that reflect both cultural grounding and regulatory purpose.
Bryan expanded on the meaning at the heart of He Arapaki. Ara refers to pathways and Paki refers to stories or narratives. He explained that every regulatory decision has a history and a future, and that He Arapaki reminds the organisation to consider the stories that inform its work. He described Māori approaches as inherently narrative based, noting that “when you create policy or strategy, there is a story behind it,” and the work is strengthened when the story of Te Ao Māori is present within the conversation.
Within the SWRB, He Arapaki shapes both culture and practice. Bryan spoke about the values that guide this work, including:
- manaakitanga (showing support and care for others)
- mahi tahi (working together)
- matatika (upholding fairness and ethical practice)
- māia (courage and resilience)
Clark noted that these values influence policy development, communication with the profession and the internal practices that shape regulatory decisions.
She highlighted a guiding whakataukī that asks, He aha te mea nui o te ao? What is the most important thing in this world? The response, He tangata, he tangata, he tangata, meaning it is people, reflects the heart of the framework and the purpose behind regulation.
Bryan closed with the reminder that regulators are “guardians of the now,” responsible for carrying forward the work of those who came before and preparing the ground for those who will follow. He Arapaki supports that stewardship by ensuring cultural identity, narrative and relationship remain part of the organisation’s regulatory approach.
Clark and Bryan encouraged regulators from all jurisdictions to consider how culture, narrative and the lived realities of communities can strengthen regulatory systems.
The strength of He Arapaki lies not in its completion but in its evolution.
It offers a way for regulators to move with intention toward a more grounded and culturally informed approach to public protection.
8th International Congress on Professional and Occupational Regulation
Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR)
Congress Presenters: Sarah Clark and Bobby Bryan, Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB)
