Commissioned by the Director General to see how Māori perceive DSW and its ‘capacity to meet the needs of the Maori people.’ Discusses views expressed by the wider Māori community, including voluntary organisations, voluntary workers, consumers, and clients. Draws on the authors’ experiences as staff in the Auckland region working in these areas; the MWWL, Marae Committees, church groups, and other Government agencies. Presents an initial stage of discussion meant to complement the WARAG document on institutional racism in the DSW. Considers the Treaty of Waitangi, biculturalism, the philosophy of the Māori Advisory Unit, and institutional racism. The report argues that DSW’s approach to social work has worked against Māori understandings of whānau in areas of adoption, fostering, and generic social work; and has exploited and under-resourced Māori volunteers. The Unit advocates for a Maatua Whangai model as an alternative system of welfare which decentralises power and gives resources directly to whānau and communities. They recommend that a Task Force, to work on racism within the DSW, be made up of Māori and non-Māori.