Still Standing

A space for fathers carrying the loss of their child.

The first Still Standing circle. Thursday 12 Nov, 7-9pm. Hosted on Zoom.

Reserve your place

Upcoming circles

Pick a date and claim your seat. We’ll send the Zoom link and a reminder before we gather.

When a man loses a child, the world checks on everyone but him. He is expected to hold it together, go back to work, and carry it alone.

Still Standing is a space for those men. A circle for fathers whose child has passed away, at any stage, at any point in their grief. Held by fathers who have walked this road themselves, alongside elders from within the BROS brotherhood.

This is our first circle. An Open Circle. Come as you are. There is no pressure to speak. Many men sit and listen for a long time before they say a word, and that is welcome here.

No fixing. No advice. Just a space to be heard by men who understand, because they carry it too.

However long it’s been, there’s no right time. You just have to find your way here.

Held by LISTENS, the BROS circle agreements. Free - koha welcome, never expected.

About the circle

Two circles each month

Online on Zoom, aligned to the moon cycle.

Open Circle

A relaxed evening for any father carrying the loss of a child. Arrive as you are, share if you want to or just listen, and be held by brothers who are walking the same path. No agenda, no pressure to speak.

Held on Zoom, on the Thursday closest to Whiro / New Moon, 7-9pm

First circle: Thursday 12 November.

Register on the circles page

My Child, My Pēpi / My Story, My Kōrero

A story circle with a different focus. Each month one father, prepared beforehand and supported after, shares his child and his story while the circle witnesses and holds him. You can come just to be there and hold.

Held on Zoom, on the Thursday closest to Rākaunui / Full Moon, 7-9pm

First story circle: Thursday 26 November.

Register on the circles page

Who holds this

Held by fathers who carry it too

This circle is held by fathers who have experienced the loss of a child. That is the only qualification that matters here. Not training, not theory — lived experience, and the willingness to sit with another man in it. Alongside them sits an elder from within BROS.

Ben, Still Standing facilitator

Ben

My son Nalu passed away at 37 weeks and was born still. Still Standing exists because of what that took, and what I wish someone had handed me at the time. Six years in men’s depth work through MKP and BROS. Co-facilitator of BROS online circles. I hold this space because I have walked it, and because no father should have to walk it alone.

Matt, Still Standing facilitator

Matt

My son Ari passed away at 23 weeks, born still.

When I see rainbows, I know Ari is with me.

I came to men’s work over a decade ago. It held me when nothing else did. I carry facilitation training and years of sitting with men in hard places.

I walk beside Ben in this because it is what my journey has been building toward. I am here to stay with the man in it and not rush him through.

Express your interest

Our first circle is Thursday 12 November 2026, 7-9pm NZT. Leave your details below and you’ll hear back personally with the details before we gather.

Any questions — stillstanding@bros.nz

If you need support right now

  • Need to talk, any time — Free call or text 1737 — trained counsellors, available 24/7
  • Lifeline Aotearoa — 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE), or free text 4357 (HELP)
  • Child loss — Sands NZ — sands.org.nz — support for bereaved parents and families
  • Grief support — Skylight — skylight.org.nz — 0800 299 100

Still Standing is peer support, held by men who have walked this road. It isn’t therapy or crisis care. If you’re in immediate danger, call 111.

Frequently asked questions

Still Standing’s circle model is built on the Open Hour and My Child, My Story format established by Sad Dads Club. We are grateful for their collaboration and partnership. saddadsclub.org