Chan Klangwisan’s journey of purpose and service

From Thailand to Tāmaki Makaurau - Chan Klangwisan’s journey to social work is one of resilience, adaptation and purpose. Now a Kaitūhono Kaimahi with Waipareira’s Frontline Services, he’s found his calling walking alongside whānau through their hardest moments: “This is the place where I can do the work I truly believe in.”

In 2001, Chan Klangwisan left the rice fields of Northeast Thailand for a new beginning in Aotearoa. His whānau were farmers, moving often as they worked the land, growing rice, corn and cotton. Life was never static, and neither was Chan. He adapted, taking on jobs in factories and shopping malls. But financial instability kept him searching for something more. That search led him to New Zealand with his then-partner, chasing better opportunities and a fresh start.

“Coming to New Zealand was for a better opportunity. I wasn’t quite settled in myself. Once we had children, I became a stay-at-home dad and then started my studies later in life,” he reflects.

Chan’s two children, now 24 and 22, were born here in Aotearoa and both have Māori whakapapa. He noticed their disconnection from their culture, something that struck him when he began working at Waipareira.

“My children are part of that lost generation of speakers and they have no connection to their culture. I’ve been talking to my daughter since starting work here because I’ve realised through my work with Waipareira that whakapapa is very important.”

His path into social work wasn’t conventional. Initially, Chan pursued studies in Social Work and Theology at Laidlaw College, later completing a Master’s in Social Work. He worked at the Walsh Trust, walking past the Waipareira tohu every day for five years over the Railside bridge - never knowing that one day he’d be part of the very kaupapa he admired from a distance.

“I always knew of Waipareira, however, I only thought it was for Māori… I knew they did a lot of good in our community.”

He later worked at the Mason Clinic Regional Forensic Psychiatry Services, an experience that reshaped his understanding of marginalisation.

“My passion lies in the counselling space, and that’s probably the reason I’ve been in this space for such a long time. Working with whānau, you still see them as people on the inside even if they’re not displaying it. I’ve seen a lot that have been marginalised and left out. I wanted to do something about that.”

His journey then led him to Oranga Tamariki during the COVID-19 pandemic, working as a Social Worker. It was here that he saw the harsh realities that whānau faced, most notably with tamariki uplifts through Interim Custody Orders.

“Sometimes I felt like I was stuck within a western framework where I was operating within a legal system that sometimes doesn’t leave much room to explore alternative solutions with whānau. I believe there’s real value in looking at wider options that reflect our whānau realities, especially considering the long-term impact on our tamariki."

Having started with Waipareira at the beginning of 2025, he now feels he is working to support whānau to “build their resilience.”

And sometimes, it’s not about fixing everything. It’s about being there, listening, and holding space for people in their toughest moments.

“Whānau just need somebody to be there to listen… You can't fix everything… People just need to know that somebody cares and will be there. Being there, feeling with them, having that connection - being like a family to somebody. That’s probably the best thing you can give to another human being.”