Families Commission research on fathers

Plunket is welcoming Families Commission research that shows Kiwi fathers are keen to spend more time with their children.
The research, from two reports, includes interviews with over 1700 men, including single fathers, step-fathers, teenage parents, and foster dads.
It confirms fathers in New Zealand think they are doing a good job, and could do an even better one if they just had a little more time.
Plunket National Parenting and Community Development Manager Claire Rumble says the findings underpin Plunket’s awareness of the importance of the role of fathers, and of engaging them.
“Plunket has a real awareness of including fathers in the family and has been working to do so with what it offers for years now,” she says.
“Fathers play differently with children than other family members do, and children become more secure and curious about the world when they get time with their dads. And we are all aiming for happy children, happy families and happy communities.”
Plunket offers a Dads for Dads parenting education programme in eight centres, helps organise support groups for fathers where there is demand, and provides tailored resources and programmes for fathers.
Plunket also works actively in partnership with other organisations, including as part of the Families Commission fathering network.