From the Frontline: Rose Williamson

Published: September 30, 2026

In this week’s From the Frontline video, we interview Rose Williamson, a long-serving kaimahi whose own life journey inspired her to support others.

The From the Frontline series celebrates our frontline workers across the motu who go above and beyond every day for tamariki and rangatahi

Watch the video

Watch the video

Transcript

Rose Williamson: Supporting Whānau Through Experience and Service

Kia ora. Ko Rose Williamson tōku ingoa. He uri ahau nō Ngāti Rereahu, Ngāti Maniapoto. E mahi ana au ki te tari o Oranga Tamariki ki Papakura ināianei. Kia ora.

[Karanga]
“Haere mai ngā manuhiri tūārangi ē! Haere mai ...”

My name is Rose Williamson. I am of Ngāti Rereahu and Ngāti Maniapoto whakapapa. At present, I work at Oranga Tamariki Papakura and Papakura Marae.

My husband and I live in Tāmaki Makaurau. We have five tamariki, and we also care for two of my nieces. Life at home is very busy. With a large household, each day starts by getting the children ready for kindie and kura. My son trains in Muay Thai, so he has practice every morning and afternoon. Together, our whānau keeps my husband and me on our toes.

[Waiata]
“... hareruia fa’afetai ...”

Back in 2009, I went through a difficult period in my life and became involved with the ministry myself. A report of concern was made, and social workers from the Lower Hutt site came to visit me. After hearing about the trauma I had experienced and the journey I had taken to create a better life for my tamariki, they encouraged me to consider working for the ministry. That is how my career began.

[Waiata – “He Hōnore”]
“... Maungārongo ki te whenua ...”

One of the most important parts of my role is walking alongside whānau and supporting them in their tino rangatiratanga. It is about helping them exercise self-determination and empowering their plans for their mokopuna and tamariki.

My grandmother taught me the saying: “Tiaki tangata, tiaki taiao.” It means that to care for our people, we must also care for our environment.

That belief is why I do the mahi that I do. It is what gives me the passion to get up every day. Being able to work alongside the community where my tamariki and I live has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

I have served my time in this hapori, and now I am able to give back, offering my aroha to the people and the takiwā that has supported us.


 

From lived experience to frontline leadership

In front of a room filled with proud whānau and colleagues, Rose Williamson (Ngāti Rēhia, Ngāti Maniapoto) is welcomed into Papakura Marae to take on a new leadership role within Oranga Tamariki.

Over the course of her career, she has held a range of roles within the organisation. These include care and protection supervisor, senior practitioner and social worker.  

Her journey began at Epuni Care and Protection, where she worked in residential and youth-focused roles. She then progressed into leadership positions.

But Rose's connection to Oranga Tamariki began long before her career.

What lead her to work for Oranga Tamariki

In 2009, during what she describes as a difficult period in her life, a report of concern was made about her whānau.

"When they heard the trauma that I had gone through and the journey that I had taken to better my life for my tamariki, they were the ones that encouraged me to think about working for the ministry."

That encouragement changed the direction of her life.

Today, Rose is an example of using her lived experience to build trust and help whānau deal with challenges they may face.

A busy home filled with whānau

When Rose finishes work, her focus shifts to a bustling household in South Auckland.

She and her husband are raising 5 tamariki, and they also care for their 2 nieces.

"A day at home for me is very busy," says Rose. "We've got a big household."

From school and kindergarten drop-offs, to supporting her son to get to Muay Thai training morning and afternoon, family life keeps everyone on their toes.

But for Rose, her ability to balance a busy household only reinforces her connection to the families she works with.

Tino rangatiratanga

For Rose, the most rewarding part of her role is helping whānau exercise their self-determination and make decisions that are right for their children and mokopuna.

"Being able to walk alongside our whānau to support them in their tino rangatiratanga, that self-determination to Whakamana their plan for their mokopuna, for their tamaiti, is the biggest and most important part of my role."

The values driving her work come from lessons passed down by her grandmother.

"My grandmother taught me, 'Tiaki tangata, tiaki taiao'. Meaning that in order to look after our people, we look after our environment.

This is why I do the mahi that I do. This is what gives me the passion to wake up every day."

Proud moments supporting the community

After 16 years of child protection, Rose says some of her proudest moments come from seeing the tamariki and rangatahi she once supported, grow into adults and parents themselves.

"It just warms my heart to hear from them and know that I was able to be a small part of their lives to help them make better choices."

Now working in Papakura, Rose says supporting the community where she and her tamariki live is one of her greatest joys.

"I've served my time in this Hapori and now I'm going to offer my aroha to that takiwā."

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