Men’s Health Week 15 – 21 June 2026 is often a reminder to look after ourselves — to check in on our health, our wellbeing, and the habits that shape our day-to-day lives.
But for many men, there’s a gap between knowing what’s good for us and actually doing it.
We know we should move more.
We know we should get outside.
But work, routine, and everyday life have a way of getting in the way.
And without a reason, it’s easy to stay exactly where you are.
On the couch.
On your phone.
Or just too busy to make it happen.
A reason to get out the door
But when you become a Big Buddy, something shifts.
You’ve got someone expecting you.
Someone to show up for.
And suddenly:
- You’re out for a walk
- You’re at the park
- You’re kicking a ball around
- You’re heading to the beach
Not because you have to — but because it’s part of the relationship.
It becomes easy.
This is one of the often-overlooked benefits of a mentoring programme in New Zealand — it creates natural opportunities to get outside, move more, and build connection at the same time.
Small moments, big impact
The time spent mentoring boys isn’t complicated.
It’s often the simplest things:
- grabbing an ice cream
- shooting hoops
- exploring a local track
- just hanging out
But those small moments add up.
You move more.
You spend less time on your phone.
You’re more present.
And over time, those small shifts can make a real difference to how you feel — physically and mentally.
Why mentoring works
We all know being active and getting outdoors is good for us.
But knowing and doing are two very different things.
That’s where a Big Buddy mentoring relationship makes the difference.
Having a Little Buddy creates:
- Routine — a regular reason to get out
- Accountability — someone counting on you
- Variety — doing things you might not do on your own
It takes the pressure off trying to be healthier
and replaces it with something far more natural:
Showing up for someone else
It’s good for boys — and good for men
At its heart, Big Buddy is about mentoring boys and building positive male role models.
For boys, it provides:
- consistency
- guidance
- someone to look up to
For men, it often becomes something just as meaningful.
Big Buddies tell us they:
- feel more active and energised
- enjoy getting outside again
- look forward to their catch-ups
- reconnect with simple things they’d forgotten they loved
This is one of the most powerful parts of any NZ mentoring programme — the impact goes both ways.
Side-by-side connection
There’s something powerful about doing things side by side.
Not every meaningful moment needs to be a serious conversation.
Sometimes it happens:
- walking next to each other
- driving somewhere together
- kicking a ball back and forth
That’s where connection builds naturally — without pressure.
And often, that’s where the best conversations happen too.
This is why mentoring boys through activity works so well — it creates space for connection without forcing it.
A different kind of wellbeing
Looking after yourself doesn’t always mean adding more to your plate.
Sometimes it’s about simplifying.
Getting outside.
Moving your body.
Doing something that feels good.
Connecting with someone.
Being part of a mentoring programme in New Zealand like Big Buddy brings all of that together — in a way that’s simple, consistent, and real.
This Men’s Health Week
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this:
Looking after your wellbeing doesn’t have to be complicated.
Start small.
Get outside.
Move a little more.
Connect with someone.
Or better yet — become someone a boy can count on.
👉 Become a Big Buddy and start mentoring today
