FULLTIME DAD: Craig Bullen gave up work to be the sole carer of his son, Miles, 16 months

Kiwi fathers need four weeks paid parental leave, the Families Commission says.

Families Commissioner Gregory Fortuin said "the initial bonding phase with a child is crucial for a child's development" and fathers needed their own leave entitlement.

"When a strong attachment is made, the positive effects are felt throughout the child's life," Fortuin said.

At present, fathers are entitled to two weeks unpaid leave. Mothers can transfer up to 14 weeks of their paid parental leave entitlement to their partner.

However, a commission report, Supporting Kiwi Dads, shows almost half the 1721 fathers surveyed were unable to take parental leave.

The report also found that fathers from all backgrounds were satisfied they were doing a good job as parents and they believed they were more engaged with their children compared with their own fathers.

"Overall, fathers report that they are doing a great job, spend about 37 hours a week with their children, and are involved in a variety of aspects of their children's lives, such as homework and changing nappies."

However, most fathers wanted to spend more time with their children.

The report also found fathers were heavily involved in family chores, with fathers usually splitting responsibility for housework and childcare evenly with their partners.

Harald Breiding-Buss, of the Christchurch Father & Child Trust, yesterday praised the report.

"We've been trying to tell service organisations that things have changed and parents see this [raising children] as a partnership.

"Fathers and mothers raise children together, and this report shows this is the reality."

He said men were unlikely to take parental leave away from mothers and needed their own guaranteed paid leave.

Sacrifices made to be a father

Craig Bullen, 40, became a first-time father last year.

Eight weeks after his son Miles was born, Bullen became the baby's sole carer.

At the time, Christchurch-based Bullen was working as a labourer for TransDiesel in Hornby.

Within three days, Bullen went from fulltime worker to fulltime father and immediately applied for paid parental leave.

However, he said he was told by Inland Revenue that he would not get paid leave because he was a father.

"I was livid," Bullen said. "I now understand what women have been going through for a long time, being discriminated against because of your sex."

Bullen had to leave his job to look after his son and the bills began to pile up.

He applied for the domestic purposes benefit from Work and Income, and now receives $419 a week.

However, it was difficult, he said.

"I'm on $419 a week and I'm used to $800 a week when I worked," he said.

"It's tough. It's like being on an island at times.

"You haven't got the money to go anywhere. You cope.

"You get out, you go walking. It is hard. It was a big shock."

He said he missed his job and having company, but his son had to come first.

"It was not an easy decision to make, but I have no regrets at all."

Bullen said he was doing a good job as a father. "It just came naturally to me."