Qualitative Social Work, 2024, First published online, 5 December 2024

This literature review explores the ongoing issue of institutional racism in social service delivery in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Pūao-te-Ata-tū report, first published in 1986, identified the existence of racism within the Department of Social Welfare and made several significant recommendations to address this. A range of literature, including journal articles and grey literature, was consulted to evaluate how social work practices have changed in the context of Pūao-te-Ata-tū and to demonstrate how racism remains embedded in both day-to-day life and social service provision in Aotearoa New Zealand. In discussing recent social and political events, General Election, the review argues that Pūao-te-Ata-tū remains highly relevant in present-day Aotearoa New Zealand and celebrates the consistent determination of Māori to reclaim their tino rangatiratanga. The review advocates for the continued use of kaupapa Māori social work practices within a sector dominated by Western ideology and calls for a renewed focus on implementing the recommendations made in Pūao-te-Ata-tū. (Authors' abstract). Record #9099