Media Release
August 21, 2009
Join in the fun of Fathering Week

Waitakere celebrates the role of fathering next week with a host of fun activities and informative workshops and seminars.

The third annual Focus on Fathering Week takes place August 31 to September 6. The event has increased in popularity since it was launched by Violence Free Waitakere three years ago.

“This week is about is about letting men know that their role as fathers is valued and important - not just to their children but the whole community,” says Focus on Fathering Week coordinator Chris Mullins.

“While there are plenty of fun activities for men to enjoy with the children in their lives, we also wanted to have a selection of interesting speakers that can talk about the issues fathers face every day, and tips to help them cope.”

Waitakere City Council is among a host of local organisations and social agencies supporting this event which kicks of with a function in the council chambers on August 31.

Mayor Bob Harvey, author of Hey Dad! – A New Zealand Father’s Guide to Survival, is a long time supporter of the event and the important role fathers play in the community.

"We need dads to be role models and mentors. To be the one that helps a son to stay calm when he feels like lashing out. To be the voice that tells a daughter she is beautiful when the world tells her otherwise. To be there when their children have nowhere else to turn."

The week of events include:

• A photo display taken by local school children of men in fathering roles, at WestCity Mall from September 1-5.
• September 1, 3 and 4, free health checks at the WOW Health Bus which will be located on Railside Avenue between 10.00am and 4.30pm each day.
• September 3, 7.30pm, Henderson High School. Learn the art of fathering teens from Rex McCann and Warwick Pudney.
• September 4 and 5, screening of the movie Men’s Group at Unitec’s Waitakere Campus, Ratanui Street, Henderson. 7.30pm.
• September 6, 9:30am-2.00pm, Tui Glen Park. Big Clean Up and Dad’s Day Out. Fun day for the whole family with kayaks on the stream, pony rides, face painting, live multi-cultural music, information displays and activities on the cycleway.
• September 6, 3.00pm, West Auckland Hospice Father’s Day remembrance service.
• No sweat parenting seminars – Building Awesome Families with Pio Terei, September 1 at Massey Rugby club, September 2 at Ranui Baptist Church, September 9 at Hoani Waititi Marae.

Unitec is also offering a series of informative lunchtime seminars at Waitakere Central Library from September 1- 4, 12.00pm-1.00pm.

September 1: Father and Child Trust national coordinator Harald Breiding-Buss talks on how to effectively communicate with children and the role that emotional literacy, clear boundaries and a life guided by a sense of purpose plays.

September 2: Dr Geoff Bridgman (Unitec) looks at what fathers should be discussing with their sons around the subject of internet pornography and how it challenges gender understanding and impacts on sexual and emotional relationships.

September 3: Lecturer in early childhood education Alex Williams presents an informative and interactive session which will look at the factors contributing to the gender imbalance of the profession, the challenges male ECE teachers face and ways to encourage them to enter teaching.

September 4: Unitec lecturer in social practice David Kenkel and Ian Hyslop from the Office of the Commissioner for Children explore words and ideas not often enough associated with male parenting: love and tenderness.

A full calendar of events at www.dad4life.co.nz

ENDS

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