Daniel Brown TV3 13th July 2010

Brendon Smith on TV3 13th July 2010

“It’s not easy to get dads to ask for help, or even admit that they need any help,” says support worker Brendon Smith. “We’ve produced magazines before, there’s some great books for DIY fathers on how to be a dad. You might say that the DVD, music & the interviews, it fills that gap.”

“In Your Hands” video from TV3:

Dan Brown is also featured in the NZ Herald where he talks about the DVD and Dave Owens talks about his motivation for creating it.

Looking for support from other fathers?

Looking to lend your support to other fathers?

Just want somewhere where you can grow in confidence in your role as a father?

Maybe you are looking for a male only environment where you can talk with other fathers?

Then our Fathers’ Mauri Ora Circle may be just what you are looking for

Meeting every Wednesday evening from 7:00 – 9:00 pm in the Community Office 3 at the Onehunga Community Centre , 83 Church Street, (next to the library) the Fathers’ Mauri Ora Circle, embodying the principles of emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual wellbeing, is a safe place where together we can discuss any fathering issues and collectively strengthen our fathering abilities.
strong> Wednesday evenings – 7-9pm downstairs in Community Office 3 at the Onehunga Community Centre

Facilitated by our Support Worker, Brendon Smith, what is discussed is determined by those who are there. Recently we’ve talked about topics like

• the need to inform children as soon as possible in the event of a separation
• deciding on the best school for your child
• the role our dads play in modelling how we father our children
• what happens when your ex partner wants to move to another town with your child
• children and sport

to name just a few.

Children are welcome, though we do usually leave them in front of a TV with a tin of biscuits!

You are welcome to “just turn up” any Wednesday or if you would like more information feel free to call Brendon on 525 1690 or 022 697 7026 or email him at auckland@fatherandchild.org.nz

The funding support of the Maungakiekie and Tamaki Community Boards (Auckland City Council) is gratefully acknowledged.

Recent discussion topics

This time last year was our ‘Coming Out’ so this week, we are very pleased to be moving in to the Onehunga Community Center, 83 Church St, next to the Library.

Having held our meetings there and helped host the Monday Jingle and Jive sessions for toddlers, we can tell this is a fantastic center with many great people.

Jenny McKay has been most helpful in forming our group plus the local Parents Center, other support groups and counselors use the facilities.

Since we have had our office in Christchurch, many dads have been able to visit and deal with us during office hours, plus we can easily deal with other agencies.

Fathers can pop in and maintain the relationships, as their children grow, sharing news and support.

The Father & Child Trust is now officially represented in New Zealand’s largest city. Brendon Smith has taken the role of Auckland Regional Coordinator. He will be in charge of establishing local networks and contacts that will lead to the provision of Father & Child services in Auckland.

Brendon became involved with Father & Child through this magazine about three years ago and has contributed regularly. For the last two years he has also been a member of the Trust’s Board.

In his other life Brendon helps build websites, works as a yardman and is a primary parent to his daughter and son.

Father & Child work in Auckland is planned to start with the maternity sector, which means involvement in antenatal classes and postnatal support for new dads.

The Trust had targeted the sector in Christchurch since its beginning nine years ago and has built up a fair amount of knowledge about new father support. Much of this is available through the Father & Child web site and through the resource ‘ Dads and Babies’.

Brendon also wants to get a core group of dads together to manage the Auckland branch.

“I think the Auckland region already has good press and several well established men’s groups.”, he says. ”While some of them focus on father’s issues, not many have the backing of a good research and services base like the Father and Child Trust. I hope to establish a positive and effective service for all fathers by sharing information, including local features and promoting the magazine.”

The Trust had tried at the same time to establish a Regional Coordinator position in Wellington as well, but so far has been unsuccessful in obtaining funding.

The Trust’s Christchurch-based general Coordinator Harald Breiding-Buss is optimistic about the Auckland branch’s prospects:

“This is the first serious attempt in a very long time to establish regular services for dads outside Christchurch and hopefully the first step in father support being provided everywhere in New Zealand”, he says.

Auckland Father & Child Trust contacts:
PO Box 11 931, Ellerslie
Ph (09) 525 1690 or 021-892 980