On Sunday 8 March 2026, the Big Buddy community came together for another awesome Big Buddy Day Out at Long Bay Regional Park on Auckland’s North Shore – and what a beautiful day it was.
Big Buddy Whānau Together
With over 60 people in attendance, the event brought together Big Buddies, Little Buddies, and some of their whānau, creating a friendly active atmosphere perfect for making some more magic memories. It was especially nice to see a couple of boys from our previous Group Programmes come along to lend a hand on the day, helping with the barbecue, set-up, and pack-down. Their involvement was a great example of the leadership and confidence that grows through the Big Buddy journey.
Gratitude For Community Support
A huge thank you goes to Pak’nSave Albany and Hirepool Albany for their generous support, providing the barbecue food and equipment that kept everyone well fed and fuelled throughout the day. Community support like this plays such an important role in making events like these possible.
With the energy and creativity of Asher French, our new Programme and Events Coordinator, the day was packed with activities. From cricket and football to disc golf, there was something for everyone, and it was wonderful to see the boys giving everything a go. We are also very thankful for Wero Climb, Signature Marketing Ltd and Bounce Inc for supplying us with some awesome prizes to giveaway.
Outdoor Connections
Some of our matches took advantage of the stunning location with a swim at the beach, while others explored the wider Long Bay Regional Park area further, making the most of the beautiful early Autumn weather.
Most of all, the day was about connection. Seeing all our Big and Little Buddies together in one place was a powerful reminder of what Big Buddy is all about. For our Little Buddies, it was a special opportunity to meet other boys on the programme and to feel part of something bigger than just their individual match – a wider community of support, friendship, and belonging.
Big Buddy Traditions
No Big Buddy Day Out would be complete without a few much‑loved traditions. As always, the tug of war was a highlight, sparking some friendly competition and plenty of cheering from the sidelines as Big and Little Buddies pulled together as a team.
We also kept the excitement high with a lolly scramble, which never fails to bring smiles. These simple, fun traditions are a special part of our Community Day Outs and help create shared memories that the boys talk about long after the day is over.
Thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the Big Buddy Day Out Auckland 2026 such a memorable occasion. As always, we’re already looking forward to the next opportunity to hang out with our awesome community.
