KEY POINTS:
Michael Hurst Actor/director and father to Jack, 11, and Cameron, 8
From my father I learned there is only today, now. Live life as if it is all there is because it is all there is. Be up front, don't lie, say please, thank you and excuse me but don't take any shit. Have a drink now and then. If you're going to tell a joke, tell it properly. Tell your kids you love them every day (though that one came late, I admit), and make sure you are always wearing clean underpants. Laziness is unacceptable. Read. A mate is a mate no matter what the circumstances and if it looks too good to be true then it probably is. And from being a father I've learned there is no love stronger than that of a parent for their kids. That boys are cool. Mum is the first point of call, unless it's about something she doesn't approve of. Computers are not that complicated. Broccoli sucks. And there is only today, now, and every moment counts.
Mike McRoberts 3 News reader and father to Ben, 8, and Maia, 6
I think the greatest thing my father ever taught me was not to be scared to show my emotions or express them. Dad's very much a man's man, but seeing him cry in times of grief or great happiness had a profound effect on me. I've thought a lot recently about what I've learned from being a father. So much of what your children are is a direct result of watching you. If you want your kids to grow up to be kind, decent, honest and considerate people there's only one place they're going to learn it from. Not a bad goal, really.
Monty Betham Athlete/author and father to Riley, 21 months
My dad taught me about the importance of respect, which is a big part of Island culture. He also taught me about the need to work hard and to put in the preparation, which is true in life and sport. There is always someone more talented than you which is why hard work is so important. Talent is actually probably only third on the list, with hard work coming first. In terms of being a dad, I learn every day, which is the great thing about being part of a young family. I really admire my wife. Together we are trying to do the best we can to help Riley develop not just with eating and sleeping but talking and behaviour.
Candy Lane Dancer/TV presenter and daughter to the late businessman Keith Lane
There are too many things to list but these few come to mind: He taught me my work ethic, to never be late, be honest and be the best you can be. I learned to value things. My father never bought what he couldn't afford to pay cash for and, when he did, be it a car, a house or a pair of shoes, he would take good care of them and value them. I also take good care of my things unfortunately I still like to hammer my credit card now and again! I learned from him that it's OK to win. And it's OK to cry at sad movies. He also said to me once and I never forgot: "When you stop enjoying what you do, it's time to stop doing it." I miss my dad.
Michael Galvin Actor/playwright and father to Lily, 2
My father had a very strict upbringing. I remember him telling me once how in his last couple of years at his Christian Brothers primary school he was given the cane pretty much every day, which makes me a bit sick to think about. He reacted against this when it came to bringing up his four kids. He and my mother never hit us, and were forever appealing to our sense of reason, and of cause and effect. We had a lot of freedom compared to our friends but seemed to get into a lot less trouble I think because we had nothing to act out against. When Lily, my little girl, was born she looked exactly like my father. Fortunately, she now looks more like my wife (no offence, Dad). I definitely want to emulate his and my mother's approach to child rearing which is just as well because every time I try to tell Lily off she laughs at me. The more cross I get the more she laughs. It's a bit demoralising for an actor to feel so unconvincing. I'm hoping as she gets older she will learn to at least pretend to take me seriously.
Petra Bagust TV presenter and mother to Venetia, 5, Jude, 3, and Theo, 18 months
My dad has taught me many useful things. I learned how to hammer a nail straight, sleep through house renovations, spin a great yarn at the dinner table (stories 34 to 51 are my favourites), pick the perfect camp site, cook a one-pot feast, snorkel in the ocean, and catch a fish. I learned how to fix almost anything, build the winning bridge (in the balsa wood bridge-building competition), drive a car, change a tyre, have adventures in regular life, how to play mental card games, how to start and almost finish a job ("the last 10 per cent takes 90 per cent of the effort"). I also learned that giving yourself a grandiose title really helps set the tone, and that real men can wear pink. I learned to stay calm in emergencies and to be generous with my heart and my time. And I learned the absolute joy of grandads. Hip hip hooray for Captain Super Grandfather Daniel.
John Banks Auckland Mayor/radio presenter and father to Natalia, 21, Sergei, 17, and Alexander, 16
It's all about giving and receiving, mainly giving although I'm told at age 25 your kids finally say thank you. I've formed an opinion, as one of the oldest fathers in the country, that children only need two things: unconditional love and a world-class education.
Scribe Hip-hop artist and father of four
Being a dad, I've found I am constantly learning how to fit everything into a day. Every parent knows raising children is a full-time job, especially when you have kids at school as well as home. And then, if you're like me, there's rugby practices, hip-hop dancing, kapahaka practices, school productions, etc. I have learned that time management is the key because, let's face it, even cleaning up after your children is a never-ending battle. But with good time management, a tight routine and a lot of greasing up to your parents, you can still balance a career and a life of your own as well as having to run around after those lovely kids.
Carly Binding Singer/songwriter and daughter of artist Wellesley Binding
The relationship between my father and I is a perfect case for the argument of nature verses nurture. Although I did not grow up with my father and have never spent more than a few weeks with him at one time, we are, in many ways, one and the same. I was lucky enough to be passed his abilities and a little of what I consider to be his great and complex mind. My father is an artist: a painter, art lecturer, part-time gardener and maker of anything his mind can imagine. To him there is no such thing as an idea which can't be manifested into a physical object.
Jason Gunn TV presenter/game show host and father to Eve, 19, Grace, 13, Faith, 10, and Louis, 5
Parenting has given me a huge appreciation for my parents and how they were always there for me. It's only now, being a dad, that I've realised how good I actually had it. Every time I think my kids are causing me a bit of strife, I think "I bet I was no smooth ride". They say the best thing you can give your kids is quality time and certainly it's something I've discovered. And also the importance of keeping promises if you break the small promises how can you expect them to trust you for the big things?
