A special cake, warm conversation and a strong sense of community is marking a significant milestone for Kidz Need Dadz in Tauranga this month, as the organisation celebrates 25 years of supporting local fathers.

Since September 2000, Kidz Need Dadz has run weekly peer support meetings for dads navigating the challenges of separation, family court and rebuilding relationships with their children.

The meetings, part of the DadzKare programme, are offered free of charge thanks to support from regional funders TECT, BayTrust and the Acorn Foundation.

The cake created by Good Bitches Baking to celebrate 25 years of Kidz Need Dadz in Tauranga. Photo / Brydie Thompson

To commemorate the anniversary, local charity Good Bitches Baking created a special cake for the occasion. The NZ-wide organisation, which started in 2014, delivers baking to organisations that work with or support people who are having a tough time.

“Good Bitches Baking support our work by providing home baking for these weekly meetings and the dads really appreciate this service,” said Tauranga’s DadzKare advocate and national service delivery manager, Jim Smith.

For 25 years, Kidz Need Dadz has supported Tauranga dads during what is often an incredibly isolating and confusing time.

“We provide coaching to help get them through what can be a gruelling experience,” Smith said.

Having personally navigated the family court system himself, Smith understands the emotional toll it can take.

“I found myself single, going through the dilemma myself and self-representing in court without a lawyer,” Smith said.

“I probably should’ve reached out more, particularly when I found out the relationship had broken down. It can be a really lonely, isolating time.”

Kidz Need Dadz founders Sheila Ewart and Reagan Douglas celebrating 25 years. Photo / Brydie Thompson

Through one-on-one sessions, peer support groups and KidzKare – a supervised visitation programme for parents and children – Kidz Need Dadz works to strengthen father-child relationships and support fathers in becoming the best version of themselves.

When a family separates, a lot can suddenly change for the children involved, said Smith. They no longer have two parents in the house, may not see one of them, or may be exposed to unhelpful environments or experiences during their parents’ separation.

“Many of the men we see can be in a dark place where they don’t have much direction as they’re unaware of what is ahead of them, the processes of separating, being in family courts and child allocation,” said Smith. “We work to support and educate them so they can play an active part in their children’s lives.”

For 25 years, Kidz Need Dadz has helped rewrite the story for hundreds of Bay of Plenty families – proving that while not every family gets a fairy-tale ending, support and connection can create a new happily ever after.

For more information or support, email: tauranga@knd.org.nz or visit Kidz Need Dadz at 538 Fraser St, Greerton.