Social work pioneer awarded honorary doctorate

Dr Mervyn Hancock looks back on his social work career with “great pride and great memories”.

The 86-year-old is regarded as the founder of the modern social work profession in New Zealand and was today awarded an honorary doctorate from Massey University.

Dr Hancock, from Palmerston North, worked for the child welfare service in Auckland, Wellington, Gisborne and Dunedin before returning to his hometown as district officer in 1960.

With his vast practical experience he was recruited to spearhead Massey’s social work degree – the first at a New Zealand university. He was director of the social work programme from 1975-1982, then moved into private practice but has kept a close connection with Massey.

Dr Hancock was conferred with a Doctor of Literature (honoris causa) at a graduation ceremony this morning. The award recognises his pioneering work, his influence on the professionalisation of social work and his outstanding national contribution in the field of social work education.

“I’m extremely honoured and deeply appreciative of the award,” Dr Hancock said, adding it was not just an award for him but recognised the long social work history at Massey, and all those in the field.

He has fond memories from his career that spanned more than four decades. “I look back with great pride and great memories, full of interest and incident.”

Dr Kieran O’Donoghue, director of social work and social policy at Massey’s School of Health and Social Services, said the award was well deserved. “Merv is the epitome of a professional social worker who is civic-minded and an active community citizen.

“In awarding him with this honorary doctorate, Massey University is honouring the man, and his legacy within the field of social work education and practice and his tremendous service to the community and people of Palmerston North,” Dr O’Donoghue said.

He described Dr Hancock as the “founding father of the modern social work profession with New Zealand”.

“The social work scholarship that emerged from Massey University has built upon the foundation and standards set by Merv,” Dr O’Donoghue said. “He is an inspiration to numerous social workers and is life member of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers as well as the founding president of that body.”

Dr Hancock also made a significant contribution to Palmerston North community as a city councillor from 1983-92, public servant and private social services consultant