Deb Stanfield of the RSW Collective is in conversation with Raewyn Nordstrom who describes herself as a Creative Native Disruptor. In this podcast she reflects with Deb on her work as a Family Group Conference (FGC) Coordinator for Oranga Tamariki, Aotearoa New Zealand’s child protection service – work which began with facilitation of the first FGC to be held in Aotearoa, (and in the world), and ended with her retirement in early 2019.

In this podcast, Raewyn remembers the important development of Pūao-te-Āta-tū and the golden promise of the early days. She recalls a challenge from a kaumatua about the notion of whānau decision making, and how she in turn challenged managers to support ideas brought forward by whānau and families.

Raewyn comments on her experience as wahine Māori in this role and the ‘creative native disrupting’ skills needed to ensure the rights and needs of mokopuna (children) and whānau were met. Her stories also highlight her focus on providing consistency for whānau and her colleagues over the many social, legislative, policy and management changes of the last three decades.

The following “unfiltered” podcast was recorded in a small re-purposed shed on an old dairy farm situated in the land of Ngāti Maniapoto in the Waikato region of Aotearoa. It begins with a story about the world’s first FGC, held in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) in November 1989 and ends with a beautiful waiata sung by Raewyn and her daughter Taaniko Nordstrom, who kept us company in the shed while we talked.

An (interrupted) social work project in Vanuatu

Reimagining Social WorkBy the RSW CollectiveMay 16, 2020