Bringing Forward to 2025: Programme Development and Expansion

Over the past several years, Fathers For Families has continued to evolve its approach in response to the needs of fathers, whanau, and the communities we serve. What originally began as a shorter intervention has grown into a 14-week Men’s Behavioural Change Programme – Te Ara Poutama o te Matua Mārama.

The framework and structure of this programme were originally shaped through the lived experience and personal story of transformation. It reflects the journey of an individual’s confronting the realities of family harm, recognising the impact of their actions, and committing to a different pathway for themselves, their partners, and their children. This lived experience has helped shape a framework that resonates authentically with the men who participate in the programme today.

Feedback from programme participants, community stakeholders, and partner agencies highlighted the need for additional support opportunities to address the complex realities many fathers face. In response, the programme was further refined to include additional group engagement and support, allowing more time for deeper reflection and meaningful engagement with the underlying drivers of behaviour, identity, and relationships.

The programme is now structured around three identity-focused pathways:

• Me as the Man – understanding identity, trauma, values, and personal responsibility.

• Me as the Husband / Partner – restoring trust, accountability, and relational integrity.

• Me as the Father – strengthening fatherhood, presence, and the protection and nurturing of tamariki.

Together, these pathways guide participants through a process of personal reflection, behavioural transformation, and relational restoration.

Cultural, Spiritual, and National Framework Alignment

The Fathers For Families programme integrates several key frameworks that guide both its philosophy and delivery.

Te Huringa o te Ao:
This framework supports transformation by strengthening cultural identity, self-awareness, and connection to whanau and community.

Te Aorerekura – The National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence:
The programme aligns with the strategy’s key shifts by emphasising prevention, community leadership, collaboration across agencies, and strengthening whānau wellbeing.

Biblical Principles – The Fruit of the Spirit:
Spiritual reflection is also incorporated through values drawn from Biblical teachings, including love, patience, kindness, humility, and self-control. These principles support the development of character and personal accountability as fathers work toward rebuilding relationships within their families.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi Principles

Fathers For Families acknowledges the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and incorporates the following principles into the design and delivery of its work:

• Partnership – working collaboratively alongside Māori communities and organisations.

• Participation – ensuring Māori voices are actively involved in decision-making and programme development.

• Protection – safeguarding Māori culture, values, and identity within service delivery.

• Equity – promoting fairness and reducing barriers to support.

• Options – providing culturally responsive approaches that reflect Māori perspectives and preferences.

• Active Protection – taking proactive steps to strengthen Māori wellbeing and outcomes.

• Self-determination (Rangatiratanga) – supporting Māori leadership and the ability for communities to shape their own pathways.

• Manaakitanga – fostering care, respect, and responsibility within relationships and communities.

Strengthening Fathers, Strengthening Whanau

Through its 14-week structure and integrated frameworks, Fathers For Families is better equipped to support fathers in their journey toward accountability, healing, and positive change.

The programme seeks to help fathers:

• understand the impact of their behaviour

• rebuild trust with partners and children

• develop emotional awareness and self-regulation

• strengthen their role as safe, present, and responsible fathers.

By combining lived experience, cultural grounding, spiritual reflection, and structured behavioural change, Fathers For Families continues to support fathers in restoring relationships and building safer futures for their whanau.

“This framework is not theory written on paper; it is a pathway forged through lived experience and refined through the journeys of the men who continue to walk it.”