ANZASW

Bi-cultural Partnership

Model of Partnership

In Aotearoa New Zealand, acknowledgement and implementation of a bicultural partnership was epitomized by the formation of a Tangata Whenua Caucus in 1986, and now permeates throughout all ANZASW structures and business endeavours, reflects the foundational centricity of Te Tiriti O Waitangi in social, spiritual, political, communal, economic and ideological terrains of human relationships and engagement. ANZASW in its role as a professional leader of social and community work in Aotearoa New Zealand utilizes this bicultural partnership framing, underpinned by Te Tiriti O Waitangi, to foster equitable collaboration between the diverse realities of its membership who are Tangata Whenua and Tauiwi, in addressing all aspects of social development, healing, concern and future planning impacting on social and community work theory and practice development.

Given that there is an extensive history where this bicultural partnership has been forged within ANZASW, it is poignant to remember that this framework fosters respect for difference, is inclusive by nature, and heightens the importance of real dialogue given that there is an expectation that self determination between partners is an expected outcome. In essence, Bicultural Partnership in ANZASW reflects the following principles:

  • A sense of shared history and unique responsibilities between said partners
  • A sense of development towards autonomy for the purpose of establishing real interdependency
  • A sense of advancing indigenous and non-indigenous best practice in social and community work in Aotearoa/New Zealand
  • A sense of open partnership that reinforces collaborative sharing of knowledge, wisdom and experience within this professional body of practitioners, thinkers, theorists, researchers, managers etc who identify as their root profession 'Social and community work'