Dad and Me programme at Tauawhi centre starts Monday

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A FREE programme aimed at supporting fathers to have positive involvement in their children’s lives starts on Monday.

Tauawhi Men’s Centre is running the four-week Dad and Me programme, which involves weekly night workshops on parenting advice and whanau activity days in the weekends.

Activities will include surfing, swimming at the Olympic Pool and a Nick Tupara-led (Ngati Oneone) hikoi around Gisborne to learn about the city.

“It is aimed at all dads and gives them an opportunity to reflect on being a dad, and improve their relationships with their children if they need to,” Tauawhi Men’s Centre co-ordinator Tim Marshall said.

The workshops are for dads themselves while the weekend activity days are for all the whanau.

“The activity days give them a chance to hang out with all of the family.

“The workshops are quite simple and cover messages about the role as a dad and the different ages and stages in children’s development. Dads often miss out on learning about this.

“We will also cover ways to discipline children without being physical, and navigating the various agencies and departments. We will have a lawyer there to explain things like Family Court.”

Those who enjoy the programme can continue after the four weeks with the centre’s course Building Awesome Whanau.

Fathers interested in the Dad and Me programme can contact the Tauawhi Men’s Centre at 71 Peel Street or on 868-8278, or simply turn up to the first workshop at 6pm on Monday.