Every boy deserves a good man who shows up

Big Buddy matches boys without dads in their lives with caring male mentors who make a lasting difference.

How You Can Help

At Big Buddy, we match boys between the ages of 7 and 17 without dads in their lives with Big Buddies, who volunteer their time. The Big Buddy relationship offers friendship, support and a good male role model to look up to. These are good men who show up, spend time, and make a difference.

There are three keyways you can get involved

Become A Big Buddy

One-to-one mentoring for boys needing good male role models for boys aged 7 - 13

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Group Programme

Help support boys aged 14-17 through positive group-based experiences.

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Donate

Give to help us screen, train, and match more boys on our waiting list with more Big Buddies

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“The real experience of being a Big Buddy has more than exceeded my expectations. And it’s not all about the big things; it’s often little things like just sharing a laugh that add up. Kobi is so appreciative of everything we do, and he’s so enthusiastic – up for giving anything a go. He’s got such a lot of energy and that’s so good to be around.”

Big Buddy - Mark

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.

Find A Big Buddy Mentor

If you’re the mum, aunty, gran or female caregiver of a boy aged 7 to 17 whose dad is not in his life, Big Buddy may be able to help.

We know women do an amazing job raising boys on their own — but some tell us their boy is missing that positive male influence, and that’s where Big Buddy comes in.

If your boy could benefit from a Big Buddy, we’d love to hear from you.

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Become A Regular Donor

Be A Mighty Mate

By becoming a Mighty Mate through monthly giving, you’ll help Big Buddy support boys without dads in their lives by funding safe, meaningful matches with positive male role models.

Your regular gift helps us recruit, screen and train good men who volunteer as mentors — and makes it possible for Kiwi boys to experience the kind of connection many others take for granted.

As a Mighty Mate, you’ll be part of that journey — helping identify boys in need, supporting their matches with trusted mentors, and making sure they have someone who shows up.

JOIN MIGHTY MATES TODAY