Defining the Social Services Workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand Survey

Te Pai Ora SSPA is seeking feedback on a proposed definition of the social services workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand. This consultation is intended to help test whether the definition is clear, practical, inclusive, and useful for future workforce measurement and planning. You may respond as an individual or on behalf of a workplace or organisation.
There are 12 questions and the survey will take around 10 minutes to complete.
Please submit your response by 31 August 2026.

1.In what capacity are you responding to this survey?(Required.)

As an individual

On behalf of a team, service or organisation

3.Do you work for...(Required.)

Other (please specify)

4.Overall to what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposed definition of the social services workforce?(Required.)

5.How well does the proposed definition reflect the reality of the social services workforce as you see it?(Required.)

Please use this space for any overall comments on the proposed definition.

6.Do you think any important occupations or roles are missing from the proposed definition?

7.Do you think any occupations or roles are included that should not be included?

8.How well does the framework recognise Iwi and Māori social services roles?

Please describe any changes that would better recognise Iwi and Māori service roles.

9.Are there other social services roles being performed in specific cultural contexts that should be included?

Yes

No

Unsure

If yes, please describe these roles and the cultural contexts in which they are performed

10.Are there newly emerging social services roles that should be considered for inclusion?

Yes

No

Unsure

Please describe any emerging roles that should be considered.

11.Should the following roles be included within the definition? Please tick those you think should be included.

volunteers

managers and supervisors whose main role is leading or supporting frontline social service workers

organisational support roles such as administration, finance, HR, IT, and facilities

Any comments

12.Is there anything else you would like to tell us about the proposed definition?

Thank you for taking the time to share your views. Your feedback will help inform discussion about how the social services workforce is defined for future measurement and planning in Aotearoa New Zealand.