Father & Child Auckland has received funding from the Manurewa Community Board (Manukau City Council) towards a series of 3 seminars on what it means to be a father. These seminars will be held later in 2010.

Details will be announced shortly but if you are interested or know anyone who might be send us an email to auckland@fatherandchild.org.nz, phone us on 09 525 1690 or send us a letter to Father & Child Trust, PO Box 11931 Ellerslie, Auckland.

Dan Brown, a young father being supported by the Father & Child Trust, was interviewed on TV3 about the new “In Your Hands” DVD produced by Great Fathers.

Daniel Brown TV3 13th July 2010

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Child Support Amendment Bill Proposed

New Revenue Minister Peter Dunne is willing to waive up to $500 million of unpaid child support debt. More than half of the record one billion dollar debt consists of penalty fees, which could be wiped under new legislation soon to be introduced to parliament.

The bill includes provision for penalty fees to be waived, provided that liable parents enter some kind of repayment arrangement for their existing debt. Expatriate liable parents accounted for the highest levels of unpaid debt; more than $312 million of the total owed.

A Christchurch father who said he was “squeaky clean”, still owed $25,000 at one point, most of which was penalties incurred because Inland Revenue thought he was paying the wrong rate. “The tax department cannot pick up a mistake for about six months and they continue to charge you penalties” he said.

“If you try and work it out they will not negotiate with you until you have paid the penalties. That’s why so many guys are in debt”. It is hoped the Bill will appear in parliament before Christmas.