APRIL: A STEP FORWARD - Celebrating Our Men

A Step Forward: Celebrating Our Men

Last week at Fathers for Families, we celebrated something real. A group of men graduated from Te Ara Poutama o te Matua Mārama — a journey of growth, learning, and owning their role as fathers, partners, and leaders.

The room was filled with whanau — partners, kids, parents — all there to support their men. And when each man stood to speak after receiving his certificate, there was no performance. Just honesty. They spoke about how they’ve changed, what they’ve had to face, and what they’re trying to do better — not for praise, but because it matters.

Change You Can See

What stood out most wasn’t just what the men said — it was what their families noticed. A few partners shared how their relationships are different now. How their homes feel calmer. One mum got up and talked about her son — how she’s seeing the man she always hoped he’d grow into.

That’s the real impact. Change that’s not just talked about, but felt — by the people closest to them.

"When a man changes, his whole whanau feels it."

Looking Ahead

Graduation isn’t the finish line. It’s a step. Many of the men have already signed up for the Leadership to Employment programme — choosing to keep moving forward, building not just for themselves, but for their whanau.

They’re not chasing flash titles or attention. They’re just trying to do better — at home, in work, in life. That kind of leadership doesn’t need a label. It shows up in how you carry yourself.

Growth Isn’t Flashy

Change isn’t always loud. It’s often slow, awkward, and uncomfortable. But that’s what growth looks like — and these men showed up for it. They owned it.

"Growth is uncomfortable because you've never been here before."

But they leaned in anyway. And that takes guts.

At Fathers for Families, we don’t hand out praise easily. But we’ll say this: these men earned their moment. And we’re proud to walk alongside them as they keep stepping up.

"Kaua e mate wheke, mate ururoa – Don’t give up like an octopus, fight like a hammerhead shark."

That’s the wairua we saw last week — and it’s what’s carrying these men forward.