Father & Child were overwhelmed by the turnout and support for our Father’s Day Picnic at Ambury Park.

Over a hundred people joined in the fun, especially around the bouncy castle. Parents who were new to Auckland and had similar aged kids mixed and met. Families had space to play and oversized footballs were kicked and chased. Special thanks to Mike Tehuia for helping to contact our dads, set up the castle and prepare the food and barbecue.

A good generator meant we could also play music. Pauli Horgan of Beats n Pieces brought his mixing desk and speakers keeping the groove.

Peter Hodge, our Kenny Rogers of dad songs performed his repertoire.

Our barbecue was flat out and there was a queue for three hours. Thanks heaps to the all the helpers. Leighton, Simone, Jenni, Malcolm, David, Mat and Brendon. We were very busy cooking sausages, steak sandwiches and kebabs. We raised over $600 which covered nearly all costs for the day! We gave out free copies of our “Why Dads” booklet and “New Babies” magazine.

Dave Ringrose of Family Start Manukau came with a crew of South Auckland Dads, gazebo and support material. Mat and Dave entertained many happy children with their flying travelling carpet tarpaulin game. Eventually other parents and even the kids took over.

Lots of families enjoyed the awesome weather and there were lambs snuggling their mums in the surrounding paddocks.

Thank you everyone!

Father and Child would like to thank everyone who helped, plus Ambury Farm Park via Auckland City Council, The Mt Roskill New World, Castle Mania Onehunga and Hirepool New Lynn for their support and we look forward to next year’s Fathers Day here again!

Click pics to see full size:

Picnic overview

Marquee and crew

Picnic helpers

Flying travelling carpet tarpaulin