With Father's Day just around the corner on Sunday 3 September, we’ve taken the opportunity to chat to some local Shore-based fathers about what the day means to them, what their favourite family memories are and how they’ll be celebrating the special day.
Jimmy O’Brien is the director of Colliers Auckland North, a leading commercial real estate company on the Shore providing a full range of services including investment sales, industrial sales and leasing, office leasing and retail leasing. Jimmy lives locally in Castor Bay with his wife, Fleur, their son Mack (22) and daughter Riley (20). Both his children are in their last year at university. Jimmy tells Channel about taking the time to remember his dad, the special camping memories he’s creating with his kids and the joy of seeing his kids grow into great adults.
Channel Mag: What does Father’s Day mean to you?
Jimmy O’Brien: It's a day to appreciate and remember my dear departed dad and enjoy some family time with my two kids and wife.
What do you love most about being a father?
Sharing the journey and watching your little babies grow up into lovely young adults. Nothing can beat the pride you feel seeing your son and daughter develop and achieve their goals.
Describe a treasured memory or experience that you’ve had together with your child/children?
There are so many. However, we have done a few father/son and dad daughter camping trips. These one-on-one times bring you so much closer and have created happy memories for me and I hope my kids.
Any words of wisdom on parenthood for others?
There is an old saying, “the best thing you can spend on your child is time".
What’s your ideal Father’s Day gift and how do you celebrate the day?
I really like reading what Mack and Riley write in my Father's Day cards. A bit soppy I know but it's just gold! Oh and you can never have too many socks. Always nice to have a family Father's Day dinner out too. Soul Bar is my favourite kids!
Simon Mathewson lives in Torbay and is dad to Harvey (four) and Isla (nearly two) and husband to Laura. After living in Glenfield, they are loving being closer to the beach in Torbay. Simon says his family live pretty standard lives during the week; he and Laura both work and the kids go to day-care. They treasure the weekends and prioritise family time, kids' activities and catching up with friends. Simon chats about the adventures he has with his young family, exploring new places and his perfect Father’s Day (spoiler alert, it involves golf!).
Channel Mag: What does Father’s Day mean to you?
Simon Mathewson: To me it is a chance to celebrate being a family and is a good opportunity to pause, take a breath and appreciate what we have and the life we are building. My favourite part of Father’s Day is seeing the kids get excited in the morning with presents and breakfast in bed.
What do you love most about being a father?
I love that you can turn anything into a fun adventure, whether it’s playing with toys inside on a rainy day or walking around the golf course or going to the supermarket during lockdown. Their imagination makes everything fun. I also love watching them grow into little people with individual personalities and interests. It’s amazing watching them learn and develop and I get really proud seeing that. For example, watching Harvey learn how to swim and seeing him be really chuffed with himself makes me really proud.
Describe a treasured memory or experience that you’ve had together with your child/children?
We took a family holiday to the Hawke’s Bay in October last year which was really special. It’s a lovely part of New Zealand and it was awesome exploring new places, beaches, playgrounds and wineries with the kids. We decided to fly down which was the first time we have all flown together which was really fun. Harvey was really excited having a seat all to himself and Isla did really well on the flight.
Any words of wisdom on parenthood for others?
Operate at your kids' level. Having little kids is hectic so just do what works for them. Even if they’re happy pretending their cutlery are swords and it means they eat their dinner then lean into it and have a sword fight with them. Table manners can come later.
What’s your ideal Father’s Day gift and how do you celebrate the day?
Probably a round of golf at a nice course or something golf related. I stopped playing cricket once the kids came along and golf has slowly taken over. My ideal Father’s Day would be a special breakfast in bed with the kids then some sort of family activity followed by a round of golf with some friends who are also dads.
Craig Burkett is dad to three teenage daughters, Paige (18½) , Holly (16) and Charli (14½). Originally from Christchurch, Craig’s been a graphic designer at Benefitz for seven years, and lived in Auckland just over eight years. Craig is raising his girls on his own after his wife passed away three and a half years ago. He talks to Channel about creating fun memories together, not sweating the small stuff, and raising three girls with respect.
Channel Mag: What does Father’s Day mean to you?
Craig Burkett: For me every day is like Father’s Day lol… but it is nice to take a day to stop and acknowledge the role that a father has in the development and nurturing of his children. And also to remember your own dad who may or not still be with you.
What do you love most about being a father?
Some children don’t have both parents so in my case I am a mum and a dad and it is a joy to watch my girls develop and grow into tiny adults and you hope you instil in them good values and habits. The rewards far outweighs the challenges.
Describe a treasured memory or experience that you’ve had together with your children?
We constantly have little moments where we are all together, laughing and joking at something or someone (usually me!). Those are the experiences I remember, especially in today’s pace of life where time seems to fly past.
Any words of wisdom on parenthood for others?
Don’t sweat the small stuff… or try to box your children in. Treat them with respect; they are all unique and different and will eventually grow in to fully aware young adults who will end being your friends.
What’s your ideal Father’s Day gift and how do you celebrate the day?
My ideal gift is anything that they put thought into (and paid for it themselves lol) and a card with nice words. If their social calendars aren’t full then we might go out for a coffee too!
Blake Noble is Takapuna born and bred. He now lives in Belmont with his family and is a company director in the road transport sector. Blake is dad to Poppy (eight) and Lachie (two) and husband to Niki. He reconnected with Niki after seeing her in the pages of Channel Mag, now they’re married with two young kids! Blake answers Channel’s questions about what Father’s Day means to him, creating special memories from the small things and anticipating the fun socks he’ll receive this year.
Channel Mag: What does Father’s Day mean to you?
Blake Noble: A day to celebrate family in general and appreciate the happy, healthy children we have that makes life infinitely better.
What do you love most about being a father?
The unique bond you have with your children; something that’s simply irreplaceable.
Describe a treasured memory or experience that you’ve had together with your children?
Coming home from work each night to see them; good mood or bad, it all disappears when you’re swiftly immersed into the world of a toddler!
Any words of wisdom on parenthood for others?
Be present. I was a bit slow on the uptake with this but it’s often what you get from doing the smallest things with them that create the
best memories.
What’s your ideal Father’s Day gift and how do you celebrate the day?
Fun socks from the kids, I love their crazy thought patterns for what they choose!
Jeremy Jones and his wife, Ashleigh, are new parents to a son called Freddie. He just celebrated his first birthday, so Jeremy has just completed one year of fatherhood. The family live in Beach Haven and Jeremy works at AIA New Zealand in the legal team based at Smales Farm. He talks to Channel Mag about his reflections on his first year as a dad and the Mitre 10 vouchers he’s looking forward to receiving on Father’s Day!
Channel Mag: What does Father’s Day mean to you?
Jeremy Jones: As a new dad, it’s an opportunity to look back and celebrate what a journey my wife and I have been on over the last year starting our family. Freddie came four weeks early, but after a bumpy start, he is thriving and watching him grow is so rewarding.
What do you love most about being a father?
Watching and celebrating each milestone Freddie has achieved.
His first word was “Dada”, so he is definitely on the right track in life!
Describe a treasured memory or experience that you’ve had together with your child/children?
At the end of the summer, we took the family boat to Motuihe Island for the day and Freddie loved spending time at the beach and swimming. It reminded me of the trips I used to do with my parents and sister to the beach.
Any words of wisdom on parenthood for others?
I’m pretty new to parenting, so still learning the ropes – but I’d say the most important thing I have found as a new father is having a supportive network of friends and family around you makes the world of difference.
What’s your ideal Father’s Day gift and how do you celebrate the day?
Mitre 10 voucher! I can’t wait until Freddie can push the little trolley around and enjoy Mitre 10 just as much as I do! We’ll likely head out for breakfast and then catch up with my parents later in the day for dinner.
