The Pressures on Kiwi Whanau and the Path Forward
"When we strengthen our fathers, we strengthen our families — and when we strengthen our families, we strengthen Aotearoa."
Opening Insight
Across Aotearoa, whanau are carrying heavier loads than ever. Rising living costs, workforce uncertainty, and complex social challenges are touching every corner of the home — from the dinner table to the classroom, from the workplace to the marae.
At Fathers For Families (FFF), we witness these pressures daily. They don’t just affect one community — they affect Maori, Pasifika, Pakeha, migrants — all Kiwis. The difference is how equipped each family is to cope, adapt, and heal.
The Pressures We’re Facing
1. Cost of Living Strain
Housing affordability crisis, rising rents and mortgages.
Groceries and essentials climbing faster than wages.
Power, transport, and insurance stretching household budgets thin.
2. Workforce Challenges
Job insecurity and underemployment.
Shift work and multiple jobs reducing family time.
Skills shortages in key sectors increasing pressure on workers.
3. Mental Health & Burnout
Financial stress and overwork eroding wellbeing.
Limited, expensive access to counselling and support.
4. Family & Relationship Strain
Economic pressures increasing conflict and separations.
Parenting stress impacting children’s security and emotional health.
5. Child & Youth Wellbeing
Poverty, unstable housing, and school disengagement.
Rising youth mental health concerns and lack of mentoring.
6. Social Disconnection
Reduced participation in community and cultural life.
Isolation weakening whanau resilience.
7. Barriers to Services
Costs, transport, and digital access blocking vital help.
Finding the Way Forward
Short-Term Relief
Immediate action can bring breathing room:
Food security programmes & community kai co-ops.
Utility subsidies and targeted hardship grants.
Accessible counselling and peer-support hubs.
Subsidised childcare & fairer rostering for working parents.
Low/no-cost community events and cultural reconnection initiatives.
Long-Term Change
Real transformation comes from systemic shifts:
Affordable housing builds & rental market reform.
Living wage adoption & workforce training pathways.
Mental health embedded in primary care.
Parenting education & whānau healing programmes.
Youth mentoring and education system reform.
Integrated, wraparound community hubs.
Why This Matters to FFF
Our mahi goes beyond programmes and workshops. We walk alongside fathers, partners, and whanau as they navigate life’s challenges, offering tools, encouragement, and safe spaces for growth.
When fathers lead with love and strength, children grow secure and confident. When whanau are strong, communities thrive. This is the vision we hold — not just survival, but transformation.
Call to Action
Join the Korero — Share this message with your networks.
Partner with Us — Organisations can help scale our impact.
Support the Mahi — Donations and sponsorships go directly to whanau support.
"Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." — James 1:19