Ken McMaster
MSW Hons, CQSW, MANZASW. Memberships ANZASW, NZATD, MINT
“I am passionate about best practice and enhancing the skill sets of people working with people. During the past thirty years of practice I have been privileged to work with diverse groups of people who want to make a difference to the wellbeing of others and create safer communities.”
Ken has over thirty years’ experience working at the cutting edge of intervention work with men who are violent and who sexually abuse. He is known for his innovative practice ideas and the ability to translate theory into practice. He has held positions as a member and Chair of the Family Violence Advisory Committee/ Te Rangai Whiriwhiri Tukinotanga a-Whānau. This committee was established to provide the Minister of Social Services and Employment with independent policy advice on matters related to government initiatives within the family violence arena. He was also a founding member of the National Network of Stopping Violence Services/Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Putanga and is a past chair. Ken was responsible for the writing of the Respondent Program Regulation for the Domestic Violence Act (1995). In addition, he has worked as a part-time lecturer in Social Work at Canterbury University and is now involved full-time with HMA as manager, writer of materials and principal trainer. He has been a member of the Domestic Violence Act Program Approvals Committee for the Ministry of Justice.
Ken McMaster has published two books on Domestic Violence – A Private Affair, GP Books: Wellington (1989) and Feeling Angry, Playing Fair, Reed: Auckland, (1988). He has co-edited a book with Arthur Wells titled Innovative Approaches to Stopping Family Violence, Steele Roberts: Wellington (2003), and with Leon Bakker titled Will they do it again: Assessing and managing risk, HMA Books: Christchurch (2006). In 2011 Ken co-edited with David Riley Effective Interventions with Offenders, Steele Roberts: Wellington (2011).
Ken has an extensive publishing record and regularly undertakes conference presentations. He has had involvement in training probation officers dating back to 1985 and has led the design of a number of corrections initiatives. In addition to significant contribution to the Australian Correctional field, Ken has successfully managed and/or contributed to a number of pieces of work across the social services sector within New Zealand/Aotearoa.