Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Today, on World Social Work Day, I announced that New Zealand has now reached a milestone of 10,300 registered social workers—an increase of 3,600 over the last four years. This milestone follows the introduction on 27 February 2019 of mandatory registration legislation—a measure that has been long sought by the sector. Today we celebrate the progress that has been made in future-proofing the profession, as well as acknowledging the 10,300 registered social workers who continue to serve on the front line, supporting some of New Zealand's most vulnerable tamariki, whānau, and communities.