In: Academic murals: Social work research exemplars. MASW reports 2015 (pp. 469-510), edited by Blake Gardiner, Shirley Jülich and Kathryn Hay

"Amidst the widespread social upheavals of the 1980s, major developments transpired and have helped shape a social work profession that is unique to Aotearoa. This research report engages with one Māori social work practitioner to develop an understanding of her perspectives and experiences through the changing nature of social work during the 1980s. This report includes a particular focus on the emergence of Pūao-Te-Ata-Tū, the establishment of the Children, Young Persons and their
Families Act 1989, and its impacts upon Māori historically and contemporarily. The methods used to inform this research consists of Kaupapa Māori research and qualitative methods of inquiry. One Māori social work practitioner of the Waikato Tainui region was interviewed to elicit the story of her journey and to provide valuable insights into social work during the 1980s. The findings show that challenges were heavily prevalent for the social service user, and social work practitioner during the
1980s and that these challenges still exist today, despite the emergence of Pūao-Te-Ata-Tū. The research report concludes with a short list of recommendations that stress the importance of implementing the recommendations of Pūao-Te-Ata-Tū to effectively respond to the cultural and social needs of Māori." (Author's abstract).

This research report is included in the 2015 MASW research reports monograph. "This monograph has come about due to our reflections that the research undertaken by many of the Master of Applied Social Work (MASW) students is excellent and perhaps of considerable interest to others. Therefore, we decided to collate some of the best research reports from 2015 into a monograph which would enhance accessibility for those interested in the topics and future students seeking inspiration. (From the editors' introduction). Record #5631