Big Buddy
About Big Buddy
Trusted for 25 Years
For over 25 years, Big Buddy has been matching boys without dads in their lives with carefully screened and trained volunteer mentors — good men who show up, build trust, and make a lasting difference.
Careful Screening & Trained Mentors
We’ve supported more than 1,200 Big Buddy–Little Buddy matches across Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Wellington — changing lives not just for the boys, but for their whānau, mentors, and wider communities.
Backed by community, whānau and heart
Big Buddy is recognised as a trusted and proven mentoring programme in Aotearoa — a beacon of support for boys without a father figure, and for the mums and caregivers raising them.
There are two ways to volunteer
Become A Big Buddy
One-to-one mentoring for boys needing good male.
Mentor a boy. Change a life.
- Boys aged 7–13
- Meet weekly for a few hours
- One-year minimum commitment
- Full driver’s licence needed
More information on becoming a 1:1 mentor can be found here.
Big Buddy Group Programme
Help support boys aged 14-17 through positive group-based activities & experiences.
(8 week programme during School Term 1 a week on a Sunday)