Dads Charter supports fathers and father figures with a listening ear, practical guidance and referrals to services in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Separation, family conflict, court processes, grief, abuse and uncertainty can place pressure on even the most capable people. Talking with someone who listens can help you make sense of what is happening and consider your next steps.
Contact us by email dads@dadscharter.co.nz
How we can help
Our goal is simple: To help fathers and father figures find support that feels safe, respectful and useful. We listen to your situation, discuss what matters to you and help you explore support options. You can tell us as much or as little as you feel comfortable sharing.
We can provide free referrals to services and support networks for:
Fatherhood, parenting and caring for children
Separation, divorce, care arrangements and parenting orders
Counselling, peer support and mental wellbeing
Family violence, abuse and personal safety
Managing stress, anger and conflict
Grief, loss, trauma and recovery
Co-parenting and family communication
Workplace conflict and self-esteem
Information about court-related processes and other community services.
Our referrals are free. The services we refer you to may have their own eligibility requirements, waiting times or fees.
How we work
We recognise that each person and whānau has different strengths, needs and circumstances. Our approach is:
Respectful: We listen without judgement and treat you with dignity
Practical: We help you consider your options and connect with appropriate support
Strengths-based: We recognise the care, experience and abilities you bring to your fathering role
Focused on safety: We value the safety and wellbeing of children, fathers, partners and whānau
Inclusive: We welcome fathers and father figures of different cultures, ethnicities, faiths, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities and family structures.
Where appropriate, and with your agreement, we can consider the people and relationships that are important to you and your whānau.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our commitment to inclusion
Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our commitment to inclusion
Dads Charter acknowledges Māori as tangata whenua and respects Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
We aim to work in ways that uphold mana and support manaakitanga—care and respect for others. We recognise the importance of whānau, relationships and connection, and the right of Māori to make decisions about what is appropriate for themselves and their whānau.
We are committed to listening, learning and seeking guidance from Māori, and to helping people explore kaupapa Māori and other culturally appropriate support where available.
We also welcome the diversity of communities across Aotearoa New Zealand and aim to make our service accessible and respectful for everyone who contacts us.
Take the first step
Whether you know what support you need or are unsure where to begin, you are welcome to contact us.
Dads Charter
Email: dads@dadscharter.co.nz
Expected response time: within 24 hours
You do not need to share your full story in your first email.
A brief message and a safe way to contact you are enough to get started.
Need urgent support?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.
If you need support now, please contact one of these free services rather than wait for an email response:
Need to talk? Call or text 1737 at any time to speak with a trained counsellor or peer support worker. Visit 1737.
Are You OK? Call 0800 456 450 at any time for family violence information and support. Visit Are You OK?.
Change is Possible: If you are concerned about your own behaviour, call 0800 456 450 or visit Change is Possible for support.
Confidentiality and privacy
We understand that privacy matters. We aim to collect only the information we need to respond to your enquiry and provide support, and to keep it secure.
We will explain how your information is used and when it may need to be shared. This may include situations where sharing is required or permitted by law, such as when there is a serious threat to someone’s safety. Where appropriate, we will discuss this with you.
You can ask to access or correct personal information we hold about you. To make a request or raise a privacy concern, contact us at dads@dadscharter.co.nz