Towards a professional supervision culture: The development of social work supervision in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

This article reviews the development of social work supervision within New Zealand (NZ) and identifies that supervision in NZ has developed a distinctive professional culture in four respects: recognition and acceptance of plurality and diversity, culturally based approaches, use of the concept of cultural supervision, and commitment to competent social work practice. From the literature reviewed it is asserted that New Zealand’s experience provides valuable insights and learning for supervision internationally.