Young South Auckland fathers have come together to write and record a song and music video about their experiences for Father's Day.
The Boyz II MenD project was run by Manurewa-based social services organisation, Iosis, over six weeks and paired men, aged from late teens to early 20s, with award-winningmusician TJ Taotua.
Programme facilitator, Allan Va'a, said the music project was an opportunity for the dads to build connections with each other and gain peer support.
"There is so much our teen or young fathers don't get because the emphasis is on the mums. But our young men need to get the same kind of support, guidance and input."
Mr Taotua had previously run a similar project in schools and began working with the fathers at the suggestion of Mr Va'a.
Tawhirimatea Tetai-Rosieur, 19, said he jumped on board when Mr Va'a told him other young fathers would be taking part in the programme.
He said it was a chance to find others who know how he feels, and to share their stories through music.
Antonio Fiaosi, 22, is another young father who joined at Mr Va'a's suggestion, and said working with Mr Taotua was, "hard but TJ made it sound easy, and it was a privilege".
