Kidz Need Dadz Charitable Trust was first established in Tauranga in 2002 to strengthen families by supporting and educating Dads on the importance of being involved in their children’s lives. Since then 3 other branches have opened Hawkes Bay. Taranaki and Wellington. A national office was established in 2016 to support the existing branches and support the establishment of new branches around New Zealand .

Although we recognise mothers are very important children's safety matters the most.  Studies have shown that children do better when they have a supportive caring father in their lives also. Whether they live under the same roof or in different homes children need two loving parents.

Interestingly, it has been shown that the effects on children with emotionally unavailable fathers were almost identical to those whose father’s were physically absent.

The affects covered everything from physical differences (i.e. the quickened development into and through puberty of children raised with no father present) through to many and varied social and physiological issues.
The summary of issues listed below, in no way covers every aspect of father absence however it is still a powerful indictment to the current social epidemic.
In reference to the general population, individuals raised in a father absent environment demonstrate;

• 5 times the average suicide rate:

• Dramatically increased rates of depression and anxiety:

• 32 times the average rate of imprisonment:

• Decreased education levels and increased drop-out rates:

• Consistently lower average income levels:

• Lower job security:

• Increased rates of divorce and relationship issues:

• Substantially increased rates of substance abuse:

• Increases in social and mental behavioural issues:

• A higher rate of teen pregnancies

• A higher rate of alcohol and drug abuse issues

• Are more likely to engage in risk taking behaviour                                                                                                                                              Institute for Family Studies 2013 USA

Not every child will suffer the effects of absent dads but for those that do it is devastating 

 

Kidz need Dadz is committed to working with all organisation in the community and believe the community can only be stronger when all agencies work together to support the community.

We are committed to raising the awareness of the effects of absent Fathers and offer support information and education to help fathers stay involved with there children. 

Kidz Need Dadz has five areas they work in to provide support for fathers who want to stay  involved with their children.                      Our branches run independently;  not all branches will  provide all services.  Kidz Need Dadz welcomes enquiries from around the country from people or  organisations who wish to  establish a Kidz Need Dadz in their region.                                    

Contact enquiry@knd.org.nz

Kidz Need Dadz Services

DadzKare:

Weekly support meetings:  Tuesday night at your local office. Look under Dadzkare for information on these meeting 

These meetings are to support and assist separated fathers to help them understand the legal system, to help them work their way through the Family Court and as a Support Network.  It is helpful for fathers to talk to other fathers who have experienced separation first hand. We refer  fathers  to other organisations for assistance in their understanding. 

KidzKare:

Facilitates supervised contact to Fathers, Mothers and extended family so they can maintain contact with their children in a safe environment.  Referrals are made through the Courts, CYF or privately.

Education:

Programs are run to provide education around parenting, understanding anger and working through separation.

Working with Men Conference see conference details under More on the header section.     

Community/Fun Events:

Kidz Need Dadz runs community events to raise the awareness of Kidz Need Dadz and to provide community togetherness. We hold fun events such as  Family Fun Days, Fathers Day events, and International Men’s day events.