Father’s Day Interviews

Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday September 4th. Make sure you get out and buy gifts locally or spoil your dad with a local meal out on the day! For this issue we catch up with some local fathers who also serve their community, in this case four incumbents or candidates for the local body elections coming up in October, as well as our local North Shore MP Simon Watts who is a regular Channel Mag contributor and supporter.

Father’s Day for our Community Champions

Peter Allen

Peter is a new candidate for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board in 2022. He chats to Channel Mag about raising his family in Milford, enjoying the great outdoors and his Lego gifts this Father’s Day. Peter came to New Zealand on a holiday in 2005 and the North Shore has been his home ever since, eleven years of which have

Peter Allen and family. been in Milford. He’s married to Kirsten, and they have two children who are 11 and 13. Peter owns his own event management company, Seven Events.

Channel Magazine: What do you love most about being a father?

Peter Allen: For me, it’s seeing them grow as people and develop their personalities. Now that they are entering the teen years, we are working on keeping the communication going and making sure they know that they can come and talk to us about anything. Helping them figure out what they want to do and sharing their experiences as they grow up is something I find rewarding.

CM: Does entering into the limelight and politics mean you will do anything different in the way you look after or treat your kids?

PA: We sat our children down and I talked through and explained what I was going to be doing over the next few months, and that they would see dad's face on billboards around the area. We will see how that goes!

CM: You reckon the kids will be proud of your public service?

PA: I think so. They are interested in what it all means. I think it’s important for them to understand how local government works and that you need to get involved in your local community and find out how you can help other people. I hope that is a reason for them to be proud.

CM: Any words of wisdom on parenthood for others?

PA: There is no handbook for parenting. You just have to do what you feel is right for your children and your family.

CM: Do you get a gift on Father’s Day and how do you celebrate the day?

PA: I am very lucky that I often receive a gift that enlarges my Lego collection! We usually celebrate with a family breakfast and a trip somewhere, maybe a long dog walk, day trip to the beaches up north, or mountain bike.

CM: What would you love for Father’s Day 2022?

PA: More Lego and time with my family.

Richard Hills

Current Auckland Councillor Richard Hills has lived on the Shore his whole life and is now raising his own family on the Shore. Richard was elected in the North Shore Ward in 2016 and is now in his second term. He’s been with his husband Leighton for 15 years and in November 2021 they welcomed their son, Theodore (Theo).

Richard Hills.

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Channel Magazine: What do you love most about being a father?

Richard Hills: I love every moment. It is a huge privilege watching Theo grow and change each day; the giant smile and hugs when I come in from work is also pretty great. I learn from him just as much as he learns from us.

CM: Does being in the limelight and politics mean you do anything different in the way you look after or treat your kids?

RH: Being a city councillor means I’m often out at meetings and engagements at night and weekends, so I miss a lot of time with him. We also do not put his image on social media or in the public domain due to some of the disturbing behaviour online towards politicians and their families. I have experienced the abuse so I would prefer Theo is kept well away from that.

CM: You reckon he will be proud of your public service?

RH: At nine months, Theo is too young to understand what I do, but hopefully in the future he will appreciate things I’ve been doing with our community to make this city better, such as my significant focus in infrastructure to improve water quality, upgrades to our parks, reserves and bush tracks and the investment in public transport and our town centres. We must keep the city running, but the most important thing we do is plan for a better place for our kids and grandkids.

CM: Any words of wisdom on parenthood for others?

RH: It’s important to be thankful for all the advice you get, but the big thing is to trust your gut and make decisions that are right for your child and your family. Theo is happiest when we take his lead and don’t worry too much about parenting ‘by the book’.

CM: Will you get a gift on Father’s Day and how do you celebrate the day?

RH: I’m not worried about gifts as time together is the most important thing. We will head out to one of our parks or the beach for a walk and then catch up with our families for lunch or dinner to make sure we celebrate with our dads too.

CM: What would you love for Father’s Day 2022?

RH: I hope everyone in our community has a ‘normal’ Father’s Day this year; the last two were disrupted by lockdowns and like many recently, our household and my parents were down with Covid for the first time, so it will be nice to spend time together and enjoy great food and company while doing our best to put the last few years behind us. Celebrating as a father will be pretty special and something I never dreamed would happen a few years ago, I feel extremely lucky.

George Wood

George Wood will be celebrating Father’s Day surrounded by his family, with wife of 50 years Myra, children and grandchildren who range in ages from adults to school age. The DevonportTakapuna Local Board Member is a former George Wood and family. Police North-West Area Commander, North Shore City Mayor and Auckland Councillor. He tells Channel Magazine about raising a family in his public facing roles, the importance of taking an interest in your kid’s hobbies and what he’ll be doing this Father’s Day.

Channel Magazine: What do you love most about being a father?

George Wood: I love living through the different stages of life as our children move into the mid-life cycle and the younger generation mature and find their place in life addressing their new challenges.

CM: Does being in the limelight and politics mean you do anything different in the way you look after or treat your kids?

GW: It was more difficult during my 32 years as a police officer when my wife and I had to condition our children to be aware of negative influences through my position. Politics has never had the same challenges although my children are very quick to raise their concerns.

CM: You reckon the kids are proud of your public service?

GW: Yes, deep down they are but they do impress upon me how we must be fair and compassionate to others.

CM: Any words of wisdom on parenthood for others?

GW: Keep a strong interest in what children are doing but realise they do need freedom to make their own choices. Always be available to help them out of sticky situations.

CM: Do you get a gift on Father’s Day and how do you celebrate the day?

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GW: I love the self-made cards that our granddaughters produce and maybe a book or two.

CM: What would you love for Father’s Day 2022?

GW: Our family members are healthy and contribute to good relations with family, friends, and the community in which they live.

Chris Darby

Chris Darby is looking forward to Father’s Day. He’s a dad to three girls (Ana, PhD student, Taija, a St Johns Ambulance officer and Isla who studies at Victoria University) with his wife Diana, who is originally from Germany. “It’s a strong female energy

Chris Darby. that surrounds me at home. I love it and couldn’t imagine it any other way” says Chris. The Auckland Councillor calls Stanley Point home, it’s where he lives with his family, including dogs Bella and Felix. Chris says politics came into his life by chance after many years of always being involved with community groups and clubs wherever he lived. In 2013, he was elected to Auckland Council and has gone on to represent the Shore for three terms, with the hefty job of chairing the Planning Committee for the last six years. Channel Magazine: What do you love most about being a father?

Chris Darby: As my three daughters reach adulthood and pave their own courses in life, I get enormous satisfaction to see not just their independence unfold and success at study, work and relationships but the social values they hold strong to. They exhibit the same deep care for people which has always driven me. Picturing the smiles of my three daughters when times at council are tough is quite the tonic.

CM: Does being in the limelight and politics mean you do anything different in the way you look after or treat your kids? You reckon the kids are proud of your public service?

CD: Council is all consuming. There’s nothing 9 to 5 about it so it impacts family time a lot. Evenings, weekends and early mornings, it’s always coming at you and on your mind. Reading papers, anytime emails and meeting constituents.

Without doubt, my family has been short-changed on time with me and me with them. They are also understanding this is my choosing and are immensely supportive in allowing me to do my work well. It sounds trite but there’s just no way I could have achieved as much as I have for my communities if not for ‘my four girls’. They notice my accomplishments and are very proud, but they are also acutely aware of keyboard warriors on social media who spit out venomous lines. Last election, political opponents depicted my death using imagery. My daughters were shocked and concerned there was someone coming after me, to our home. As much as possible I don’t make room for the aimless negativity.

I don’t so much think of being in the limelight. I’ve done a lot of things in my life and been around some very well-known people. It’s taught me that public figures should not have an over-inflated sense of identity.

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CM: Any words of wisdom on parenthood for others?

CD: Take the time to be a dad. It starts by getting down on the floor and being at their level, making contact, adoring, playing and reading. Reading has been a big focus of my daughters’ upbringing. My wife is an avid reader and we’ve surrounded our kids with books. Our TV never featured strongly in their young lives, being behind a cabinet door. Reading was always their major stimulation. They are curious for learning and critical in their thinking because of young lives immersed in reading.

CM: Do you get a gift on Father’s Day and how do you celebrate the day?

CD: The gift of gathering is enough for me. We have a tradition of birthdays and father’s/mother’s days being extra special. A special table setting will greet me when I rise in the morning. Breakfast will be quick and casual due to work commitments but in the evening we’ll all gather and savour and delight in my wife’s exquisite culinary offering, drag out an old red from the storeroom and share memories, stories and natter away.

CM: What would you love for Father’s Day 2022?

CD: Family around is my first love, a bit of time off from council on the day to make the most of them and ponder life. I’m not the easiest person to buy gifts for. I don’t like the clutter of unwanted stuff so a good novel is usually the answer. There is though the desire for the Swiss precision of a Stromer ST7 electric bike. That might be a bit extravagant for Father’s Day but it’s on my radar for when released. It’s a whole new level in e-mobility.

Simon Watts

Simon Watts is a father and husband first and foremost, but also the Member of Parliament for North Shore and member of the National Party. He’s married to Shannon and they have two boys, aged 11 and nine. Simon is also an Emergency Ambulance Volunteer with St John and was previously an accountant. Ahead of Father’s Day, Simon tells Channel Mag about the joy of watching his boys grow up, making the most of family time and beach walks together to celebrate the big day.

Simon with his sons. Channel Magazine: What do you love most about being a father?

Simon Watts: Watching my boys grow up to become fine young men. I enjoy hugs when I get home from Wellington, reading them a story before they go to bed, kicking a football and snuggling on the couch.

…when I am home, it’s about being present and making the most of our time together as a family.

CM: Does being in the limelight and politics mean you do anything different in how you look after or treat your kids?

SW: I will generally spend half the week in Wellington away from my family, so when I am home, it’s about being present and making the most of our time together as a family.

CM: Do you reckon the kids are proud of your public service?

SW: I hope they are, but it will depend on what gets done as they need to see results. I’m super proud of them and what they have achieved.

CM: Any words of wisdom on parenthood for others?

SW: No, other than good luck! There is no rule book in life and no perfect family or parent or child for that matter!

CM: Do you get a gift on Father’s Day, and how do you celebrate the day?

SW: Breakfast cooked by my boys is my gift, and a homemade card. They are super keen in the kitchen but I’ll probably be involved in the clean-up!

CM: What would you love for Father’s Day 2022?

SW: Brunch with my family and going for a family walk on the beach.

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