Young father? Make a will! - to appoint a replacement guardian
If you have a child - even if they don't live with you - you should appoint a 'testamentary guardian' - someone who will replace you as one of your child's guardians, if you die. Usually people do that as part of their will.
Death - you don't want to think about it? Well, it happens! (Road toll, workplace accidents, whatever.)
If it happens to you, things will be much worse for your parents and your child's mother, if you haven't made a will and therefore you leave them with huge legal hassles at what will already be an awful time.
Write your own will if you want to. Or download an online one. Or go to a lawyer or the Public Trust. Whatever. Just do it!
(Guardians are responsible for the big decisions in a child's life. The mother is one guardian. Nowadays most fathers are automatically guardians by law. Even if they are not, they can still appoint a testamentary guardian.)
Kiwilaw's online $69 will includes appointing a testamentary guardian. You could use it to do a basic will now, download it, print it, sign in front of 2 independent adult witnesses. Appoint a parent or sibling or partner as executor, and a friend as backup executor. Leave everything to your partner or child/ren. Appoint a testamentary guardian. Keep it that simple.
Then revise it in a few days' time - no extra charge - if you want to go into more detail about your property, etc.
Please, just do it. Somehow, just do it. Today would be good. (Photo is from iStock.)
autom.io...
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.9% Human-centred experience and communication
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15% Critical thinking
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29.6% Resilience and adaptability
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2.5% Other - I will share below!
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
Make a hearty dish. Take just half a minute. Add four parts of kestrel. Then just add one. What have you made?
(Trev from Silverdale kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Trev!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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