Our Core Purpose

At the heart of Fathers For Families is a single, powerful mission: to strengthen fathers and uplift their whānau through transformative, culturally-grounded support.

We exist to empower fathers to step confidently into their vital roles as nurturers, protectors, and positive leaders within their families. We believe that when a father is supported in his own wellbeing and growth, the entire family system thrives, creating a ripple effect of safety, connection, and resilience throughout the community.

The ‘Why’ Behind Our Work

The challenges facing modern fathers are complex—from navigating cultural identity and societal pressures to healing from intergenerational trauma and building healthy relationships. These challenges often manifest in isolation, stress, and sometimes, family harm.

Our mission responds directly to this reality. We envision an Aotearoa New Zealand where every father has the tools, knowledge, and supportive community he needs to:

• Create Safety: Foster homes that are emotionally and physically safe havens for children and partners.

• Build Connection: Develop deep, meaningful, and respectful relationships within their whānau.

• Lead with Strength: Embody a strength defined by vulnerability, accountability, and nurturing care.

• Break Cycles: Actively heal from past trauma and interrupt cycles of violence or disconnection for future generations.

How We Achieve Our Mission

Our mission is brought to life through three interconnected pillars that define everything we do:

1. Transformative Intervention:
We deliver our cornerstone 14-week therapeutic programme, a journey of deep personal and relational exploration. This is not a lecture series but a facilitated voyage of self-discovery, skill-building, and accountability. We provide a safe, confidential space for fathers to confront difficult truths, heal wounds, and learn practical strategies for positive communication, emotional regulation, and respectful parenting.

2. Cultural & Spiritual Grounding:
True transformation must resonate with a man’s heart and identity. Therefore, we integrate indigenous wisdom and values at every step. Our use of Te Huringa o Te Ao and alignment with Te Aorerekura ensure our work is relevant and respectful to Māori whānau. For those who seek it, the Fruit of the Spirit provides a spiritual compass. This multi-faceted approach ensures we meet fathers where they are, honouring their cultural and personal frameworks for meaning.

3. Treaty-Based Partnership & Community:
Our mission is achieved with communities, not for them. Guided by the nine principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, we operate in genuine partnership. We actively involve whānau and community leaders in shaping our work (Participation & Partnership). We protect and celebrate cultural identity (Protection & Manaakitanga). We strive for equity and self-determination, empowering fathers to control their own futures and contribute to their communities.

The Impact We Seek

Our mission’s success is measured in tangible, life-changing outcomes:

• For Fathers: Renewed self-worth, practical parenting tools, healthier coping mechanisms, and a supportive brotherhood.

• For Whānau: Reduced conflict, increased emotional safety, stronger parent-child bonds, and collaborative family environments.

• For Communities: A reduction in family harm, stronger social networks, and the restoration of fathers as positive contributors and role models.

A Living Commitment

Our mission is a living, breathing commitment. It drives our programme development, our community engagements, and our daily interactions. We are dedicated to continuous learning and adaptation, ensuring our work remains effective, culturally responsive, and deeply respectful.

We invite every father seeking a better path, and every community member who believes in stronger families, to join us in this mission. Together, we can build a legacy of strong, loving, and empowered fathers for generations to come.