Shannon Pakura

Shannon Pakura is a Professional Social Work Advisor for the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board. Shannon has worked extensively over the years promoting and advocating on behalf of the social work profession. She has been a member of the Barnardos Board since 2009. Previous to joining the Board, she was the General Manager of Social Development and the Chief Social Worker from 1999 to 2007.

Shannon comes to Barnardos with extensive practice knowledge of statutory child protection and youth justice services. She also has experience working in senior management roles in both in the public service, on Crown Entity Boards and as well NGO and Iwi Social Service organisations.

She is passionate about advocating that services for Maori children are culturally responsive and supportive to whanau, hapu and iwi. Shannon is committed to Barnardos and supporting with implementing and operationalising the Māori Strategy, Ngā Pou E Whā and the building and maintaining of key relationships with local communities.