A Community Gathering at Epworth Retreat
On the 9th of March, the Big Buddy Day Out 2025 for Tauranga and Hamilton, took place at the beautiful Epworth Retreat & Recreation Centre, bringing together Big and Little Buddies, mums, caregivers, and siblings from the region. This annual event has become a treasured tradition, and this year’s gathering was filled with fun, connection, and many magic moments.
Perfect Day on The Water
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect — a sunny day with a light, breeze created the ideal atmosphere for a day spent outdoors. The festivities kicked off with a guided kayak journey across the peaceful waters of Lake Karapiro. It was the perfect opportunity for participants to enjoy the natural beauty of the lake while paddling together, taking in the stunning views and relaxing on the water.
Once back on land, the fun continued with a range of activities that had everyone moving and laughing. Beach volleyball, football, cornhole, and tug of war brought out the competitive spirit to create some wonderful memories. The pool was also a popular destination for everone to cool off after all the action.
Lunch was another highlight of the day, with a delicious BBQ provided by Pak’n’Save Papamoa. It offered a chance to relax, refuel, and connect with fellow buddies from Tauranga, Hamilton, and surrounding areas. Sharing stories and experiences over a meal added to the sense of community that is another highlight of the Big Buddy programme.
A Big Thank You to Our Supporters!
A big thank you to the Epworth Retreat & Pak ‘n Save Papamoa for providing such a beautiful setting and great kai, our expert kayaking instructors, and all the Big Buddies, mums, caregivers, and Little Buddies who joined us for this special day. Your energy, enthusiasm, and support made this event one to remember!
We’re already looking forward to next year’s Big Buddy Day Out and can’t wait to create even more memories with our Big and Little Buddy families from Tauranga, Hamilton, and beyond. See you next year!
Right now, there are around 8,000 boys in New Zealand without fathers in their lives.
These boys are navigating the challenges of life without the steady hand of a father to guide them.
With your help, Big Buddy can continue to match young boys with good men to offer friendship,
support and a good male role model to look up to.
With 117 young boys currently on our waitlist, your support today is needed more than ever.
Your donation will help build confidence and resilience in the lives of boys whose fathers are not around.
