On Sunday 4th May, 10 teenage boys from Auckland began an 8-week journey that would challenge, uplift, and transform them. These Rangatahi, aged 14–17, were nominated by their schools and caregivers — each one navigating life without a consistent male role model.
Outdoor Adventures and New Skills
- The programme included unforgettable outdoor adventures and some inside learning too:
- Kayaking at Mahurangi Regional Park
- Canyoning at Kitekite Falls Piha
- High Ropes challenges in Henderson Valley
- Mountain Biking at Woodhill Forest
Over the 8 weeks, our facilitators and volunteer mentors watched the boys grow in social confidence and embrace new challenges – even the most cautious stepped beyond their comfort zones during the adventure activities.
- The inside learning was a good balance for the adventure and covered activities like:
- Life mapping
- Gratitude
- Visioning Excercises
- Teamwork
- Confidence and trust building
Honouring Their Journey
The programme wrapped up with a 4-day / 3-night adventure camp, followed by a homecoming hui on Sunday 13 July. Families came together to celebrate the boys and everything they’d achieved. Mark Sanders one of our Auckland Mentoring Managers, hosted the hui, and we were joined by our Tauranga Mentoring Manager Brad Fleming and our facilitators and Big Buddy Volunteers.
The ceremony was a special moment – a chance to honour each boy’s journey, reflect on how far they’ve come, and acknowledge the young men they’re becoming.
Alongside the facilitators and activity providers, a huge thank you to the incredible men who stepped in and volunteered every week to support our boys. A big thank you to our lead facilitator, Steve Deakin; Sam and Liam from Adventureworks; and our volunteer mentors, Colin Williams and Brad Fleming.
“This programme gave my son something he didn’t even know he needed” – mums feedback
“He came home happier, and more confident. I haven’t seen him smile like that in a long time” – caregiver feedback
Congratulations to all of our GP4 Graduates
Daniel
Caleb F
Andrew
Whakan
Fatu
Caleb
Pahuia
Asher
Xavier
Rylee
What Boys on The Programme Told Us
We are proud to share the positive outcomes from our Auckland Programme, the results that some of our teenage graduates shared with us…
- 100% felt happier and more confident
- 88% felt calmer and more connected
- 100% said the activities were engaging and relevant
- 100% felt supported by mentors and facilitators
- 100% said they developed new skills
We’re incredibly grateful to the following organisations for their generous support in making our 8-week Group Programme possible:
- Wright Family
- St Johns in the City
- Grants for Good | HealthCarePlus
- Wellington Methodist
- Potter Masonic Trust
- Society of Emissaries Charitable Trust
- Big Toe
- Toc H NZ Bowerbank Charitable Trust
- Foodstuffs North Island
Thanks to their generous funding, each young person received over $4,500 worth of mentoring, adventure, and personal growth at no cost to their whānau.
