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Social Workers Registration Act 2003

Consequential amendments

Schedule 1: Provisions applying to Social Workers Registration Board

You could also call this:

"Rules for the Social Workers Registration Board"

Illustration for Social Workers Registration Act 2003

The Social Workers Registration Board has rules that apply to it. You can find these rules in the Social Workers Registration Act 2003. The Board is appointed by the Minister, who must talk to different groups before making appointments.

The Minister must make sure the Board has people from different areas, like social workers, employers, and people who use social services. The Board can have members who represent other members at meetings.

A member of the Board cannot be there or vote if the meeting is about their own registration or discipline. The Board must follow the rules of natural justice when making decisions about people.

The Board can get advice from lawyers, but the lawyers cannot be part of the Board's discussions. The Board must have at least 4 members at a meeting to make decisions, including at least 2 social workers and 1 non-social worker.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM190656.

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Schedule 1AA: Transitional, savings, and related provisions, or

"Rules for when the new social worker law started and how it affects existing applications and registrations"

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Schedule 2: Provisions applying to Social Workers Disciplinary Tribunal, or

"Rules for the group that deals with complaints about social workers"

1Provisions applying to Social Workers Registration Board Empowered by s 113

1Interpretation (Repealed)

    Notes
    • Schedule 1 clause 1: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

    2Criteria for appointment

    1. Members must be appointed by the Minister under section 28(1)(a) of the Crown Entities Act 2004 after consultation with organisations and individuals that, in the Minister's opinion, represent various sectors of the social work profession.

    2. The Minister—

      1. in appointing members, must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the Board will be representative of—
        1. the social work profession (including social workers employed by Government and non-Government organisations); and
          1. employers of social workers; and
            1. advocates for consumers of services provided by social workers; and
              1. social work educators; and
                1. Māori; and
                  1. various ethnic and cultural groups in New Zealand.

                  2. Subclauses (1) and (2) do not limit section 29 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

                  3. In addition to the matters in section 30(2) of the Crown Entities Act 2004, a person employed by a department of State responsible for advising the Minister on the Board's performance is disqualified from being appointed as a member.

                  Notes
                  • Schedule 1 clause 2(1): amended, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
                  • Schedule 1 clause 2(2)(a): repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
                  • Schedule 1 clause 2(2)(b)(ia): inserted, on , by section 146(1) of the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 3).
                  • Schedule 1 clause 2(2)(b)(v): amended, on , by section 22 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).
                  • Schedule 1 clause 2(3): added, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
                  • Schedule 1 clause 2(4): added, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                  3Restrictions on people who may be members (Repealed)

                    Notes
                    • Schedule 1 clause 3: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                    4Method of appointment (Repealed)

                      Notes
                      • Schedule 1 clause 4: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                      5Members must consent and certify to appointment and disclose interests (Repealed)

                        Notes
                        • Schedule 1 clause 5: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                        6Term of office (Repealed)

                          Notes
                          • Schedule 1 clause 6: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                          7Limit on term

                          1. No person may be a member for more than 6 consecutive years.

                          2. A member whose term of office has expired or who has resigned from office may continue in office for the purpose of completing any proceedings heard by the Board before the expiry or resignation concerned, whether or not the member’s successor has come into office.

                          3. Subclause (2) overrides subclause (1).

                          4. This clause applies despite sections 32(2) and 45 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

                          Notes
                          • Schedule 1 clause 7(2): amended, on , by section 23 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).
                          • Schedule 1 clause 7(4): added, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                          8Position where concurrent office (Repealed)

                            Notes
                            • Schedule 1 clause 8: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                            9Resignation (Repealed)

                              Notes
                              • Schedule 1 clause 9: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                              10Vacation of office if status changes

                              1. A member who was a social worker registered under this Act when last appointed vacates office if their registration is cancelled or suspended or their practising certificate is suspended.

                              2. A member last appointed on or after the transition day who was not then a social worker vacates office if the member becomes a social worker.

                              3. A member appointed before the transition day who was then engaged or employed as a social worker vacates office on that day if the member is not then a social worker.

                              4. A member appointed before the transition day who was not then engaged or employed as a social worker vacates office if the member becomes a social worker.

                              5. This clause does not limit section 45 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

                              Notes
                              • Schedule 1 clause 10(1): replaced, on , by section 146(2) of the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 3).
                              • Schedule 1 clause 10(2): amended, on , by section 23 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).
                              • Schedule 1 clause 10(2): amended, on , by section 144(1) of the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 3).
                              • Schedule 1 clause 10(3): amended, on , by section 23 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).
                              • Schedule 1 clause 10(3): amended, on , by section 144(1) of the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 3).
                              • Schedule 1 clause 10(4): amended, on , by section 23 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).
                              • Schedule 1 clause 10(4): amended, on , by section 144(1) of the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 3).
                              • Schedule 1 clause 10(5): added, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                              11Removal from office (Repealed)

                                Notes
                                • Schedule 1 clause 11: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                12Effect of vacancy in membership (Repealed)

                                  Notes
                                  • Schedule 1 clause 12: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                  13Remuneration of members (Repealed)

                                    Notes
                                    • Schedule 1 clause 13: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                    14Election (Repealed)

                                      Notes
                                      • Schedule 1 clause 14: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                      15Term of office (Repealed)

                                        Notes
                                        • Schedule 1 clause 15: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                        16Removal (Repealed)

                                          Notes
                                          • Schedule 1 clause 16: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                          17Resignation (Repealed)

                                            Notes
                                            • Schedule 1 clause 17: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                            18Exercise of chairperson's functions, duties, and powers during vacancy, etc (Repealed)

                                              Notes
                                              • Schedule 1 clause 18: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                              19Acts not to be called into question (Repealed)

                                                Notes
                                                • Schedule 1 clause 19: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                20Members representing other members

                                                1. A member of the Board (the appointing member) may give the Registrar notice appointing another member of the Board (the representative) to represent the appointing member at 1 or more meetings of the Board stated in the notice.

                                                2. The appointment of the representative ceases if—

                                                3. the appointing member—
                                                  1. gives the Registrar notice revoking the appointment; or
                                                    1. ceases to be a member of the Board; or
                                                    2. the representative ceases to be a member of the Board.

                                                      1. A notice may be given in writing, or by mail or electronic transmission.

                                                      2. At a meeting of the Board stated in the notice appointing the representative (other than a meeting that the appointing member in fact attends), the representative may vote on behalf of the appointing member, as well as voting on the representative’s own behalf.

                                                      3. The representative—

                                                      4. may not, in the representative’s capacity as a representative,—
                                                        1. act as chairperson or deputy chairperson of the Board; or
                                                          1. cast a casting vote; or
                                                            1. witness the affixing of the Board's seal; and
                                                            2. must be counted only once in determining whether the quorum necessary for transacting business at a meeting of the Board is present; and
                                                              1. may not assent twice to a resolution under clause 40; and
                                                                1. may not vote twice on a matter being considered by a teleconference meeting.

                                                                  Notes
                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 20(1): amended, on , by section 23 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).
                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 20(4): amended, on , by section 23 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).
                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 20(5)(a): amended, on , by section 23 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).

                                                                  21Duties of members (Repealed)

                                                                    Notes
                                                                    • Schedule 1 clause 21: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                    22Liability of members and committee members (Repealed)

                                                                      Notes
                                                                      • Schedule 1 clause 22: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                      23Obligation to disclose interest (Repealed)

                                                                        Notes
                                                                        • Schedule 1 clause 23: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                        24Meaning of interested (Repealed)

                                                                          Notes
                                                                          • Schedule 1 clause 24: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                          25Disclosure of interest (Repealed)

                                                                            Notes
                                                                            • Schedule 1 clause 25: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                            26Consequences of disclosure (Repealed)

                                                                              Notes
                                                                              • Schedule 1 clause 26: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                              27Matters to be delegated to committee (Repealed)

                                                                                Notes
                                                                                • Schedule 1 clause 27: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                28Exceptions (Repealed)

                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 28: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                  29Effect of non-compliance (Repealed)

                                                                                    Notes
                                                                                    • Schedule 1 clause 29: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                    30Restrictions on disclosure or use of information (Repealed)

                                                                                      Notes
                                                                                      • Schedule 1 clause 30: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                      31When member may rely on certain information and advice (Repealed)

                                                                                        Notes
                                                                                        • Schedule 1 clause 31: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                        32When clause 31 applies (Repealed)

                                                                                          Notes
                                                                                          • Schedule 1 clause 32: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                          33Procedure generally

                                                                                          1. In relation to a matter concerning a particular person, the Board must observe the rules of natural justice.

                                                                                          2. The Board may receive as evidence any statement, document, information, or matter, whether or not it would be admissible in a court of law.

                                                                                          3. Repealed
                                                                                          Notes
                                                                                          • Schedule 1 clause 33(3): repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                          34Ordinary meetings (Repealed)

                                                                                            Notes
                                                                                            • Schedule 1 clause 34: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                            35Special meetings (Repealed)

                                                                                              Notes
                                                                                              • Schedule 1 clause 35: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                              36Telephone conference meetings (Repealed)

                                                                                                Notes
                                                                                                • Schedule 1 clause 36: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                37Quorum

                                                                                                1. At any meeting of the Board, the quorum necessary for transacting business is 4 members, of whom—

                                                                                                2. at least 2 must be social workers; and
                                                                                                  1. at least 1 must not be a social worker.

                                                                                                    1. This clause applies despite clause 9(1) and (2) of Schedule 5 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

                                                                                                    Notes
                                                                                                    • Schedule 1 clause 37(1): replaced, on , by section 146(3) of the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 3).
                                                                                                    • Schedule 1 clause 37(2): added, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                    38Chairperson to preside at meetings (Repealed)

                                                                                                      Notes
                                                                                                      • Schedule 1 clause 38: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                      39Voting

                                                                                                      1. Repealed

                                                                                                      2. Repealed

                                                                                                      3. A member of the Board must not be present or vote or otherwise participate (as a member of the Board or a representative under clause 20) at any part of a meeting of the Board where any matter relating to the member's registration, suspension, competence, fitness to practise, or discipline under this Act is being considered.

                                                                                                      Notes
                                                                                                      • Schedule 1 clause 39(1): repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
                                                                                                      • Schedule 1 clause 39(2): repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                      40Resolution assented to by members (Repealed)

                                                                                                        Notes
                                                                                                        • Schedule 1 clause 40: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                        41Method of contracting (Repealed)

                                                                                                          Notes
                                                                                                          • Schedule 1 clause 41: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                          42Committees (Repealed)

                                                                                                            Notes
                                                                                                            • Schedule 1 clause 42: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                            43Restriction on delegation (Repealed)

                                                                                                              Notes
                                                                                                              • Schedule 1 clause 43: repealed, on , by section 21 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).

                                                                                                              44Effect of delegation (Repealed)

                                                                                                                Notes
                                                                                                                • Schedule 1 clause 44: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                                45Presumption of acting in accordance with delegation (Repealed)

                                                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 45: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                                  46Other matters relating to delegation (Repealed)

                                                                                                                    Notes
                                                                                                                    • Schedule 1 clause 46: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                                    47Expenses of Board (Repealed)

                                                                                                                      Notes
                                                                                                                      • Schedule 1 clause 47: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                                      48Appointment of secretary (Repealed)

                                                                                                                        Notes
                                                                                                                        • Schedule 1 clause 48: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                                        49Appointment of other employees (Repealed)

                                                                                                                          Notes
                                                                                                                          • Schedule 1 clause 49: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                                          50Liability of employees (Repealed)

                                                                                                                            Notes
                                                                                                                            • Schedule 1 clause 50: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                                            51Personnel policy (Repealed)

                                                                                                                              Notes
                                                                                                                              • Schedule 1 clause 51: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                                              52Equal employment opportunities (Repealed)

                                                                                                                                Notes
                                                                                                                                • Schedule 1 clause 52: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                                                53Superannuation or retiring allowances (Repealed)

                                                                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                                                                  • Schedule 1 clause 53: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                                                  54Application of certain Acts to members and employees (Repealed)

                                                                                                                                    Notes
                                                                                                                                    • Schedule 1 clause 54: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                                                    55Legal advisers

                                                                                                                                    1. The Board may appoint a legal adviser, who—

                                                                                                                                    2. may be present at any proceedings of the Board; and
                                                                                                                                      1. may at any time advise the Board on matters of law, procedure, or evidence.

                                                                                                                                        1. The legal adviser must not be present during any deliberations of the Board.

                                                                                                                                        2. Subclause (1) does not limit sections 16 and 17 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

                                                                                                                                        Notes
                                                                                                                                        • Schedule 1 clause 55(3): added, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

                                                                                                                                        56Common seal (Repealed)

                                                                                                                                          Notes
                                                                                                                                          • Schedule 1 clause 56: repealed, on , by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).