Who is New Zealand's Best Dad?
With Father’s Day just around the corner, top parenting website www.KiwiFamilies.co.nz is conducting its annual search
for the best Kiwi Dad.
Editor of KiwiFamilies, Kerry Burridge said that “In these times of financial stress, increasing numbers of split and
blended families, and unacceptable levels of child abuse, it is timely to focus on the positive – we are looking to
recognise the many wonderful fathering role models who are out there. Dads are an essential part of our families, and
should be honoured for their contribution to kiwi families.”
Last Year’s winner was Bob Moore of Tauranga, a loving Dad and Grandfather who had been through a lot of hardship as a
parent. Bob’s first wife died early, leaving him with 5 children under 12 and a farm to run. He later remarried, had two
more children, and a total of 18 grandchildren. Sadly, at the time of receiving his Father of the Year Award in 2007,
Bob was ill with prostrate cancer and later died on 29 December.
“Bob was a lovely man, and I felt privileged to meet him”, said Kerry. “He had a quiet dignity to him, and was much
loved by his family. He believed in being firm but fair, setting clear boundaries and expecting children to live their
lives according to good family values. He was a wonderful role model, and we hope to find more Dads like him this year”.
With lots of masculine prizes from Citizen Watches, Vidal Sassoon for Men, and M2 Magazine, there will be 10 happy Dads
as prizewinners, including 7 finalists, 2 runners up and the Father of the Year.
Anyone can nominate a Dad for Father of the Year, and every sort of dad is eligible – including natural fathers,
adoptive fathers, single, defacto or married fathers, step fathers, foster fathers, and grandfathers. Nominations must
be made online at www.KiwiFamilies.co.nz before 5 p.m. Friday 5 September.
ENDS