Fathers Day at Ambury Farm in Mangere Bridge has become a tradition for Father and Child Trust. This year, we also hosted a great fishing day on Mangere Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Quite a few dads had fun and tried the tide, the wind was cold and there were few bites but lots of fun. We really appreciate the free bait from GBK Fish Baits Wiri and Pauls Fishing Systems in Neilsen St for the free lines.

Along with Family Start Manukau, we have hosted a picnic/BBQ day with family fun and a bouncy Castle on Fathers Day for three years now. Some children came with their Mum as Dad is working away, a few had travelled from Kaitaia, others had dad for only a few hours this week, supervised by our Mike Dawson but with CYFs and Grandma’s OK!

Dominic from NZBF attended with his family and he shared their mission to attend family courts to offer dads help in connecting or sharing their concerns. Dominic had to work closely with his children’s maternal grandma before they sorted a good safe place for his young son. We talked about how dads have to persist and they may need help to keep supporting their children.

We know that many of these children enjoyed the wee lambs, rabbits and cute piglets, plus the kites!

We thank the volunteers and helpers, hope that everyone had a great day and look forward to next year.

PS Brendon Smith was on Radio Live with Mark Sainsbury earlier on Fathers Day – mainly about solo dads and how tricky it can be, his part started around 3min into the podcast..

See Radio Live Links of Fathers Day interviews here :

– Brendon Smith Mainly about solo dads

– David Burke-Kennedy Mainly about being an older dad

– Richard Aston Mainly about how Big Buddy helps…

Father and Child Trust thanks all participants in their series of Events for the week of Fathers Day!