As part of our Big Buddy Biscuit Break series, we sat down with Big Buddy Trustee, Murray Reade, to talk about mentorship, leadership, and why every boy deserves someone in their corner.
Born in Kawakawa and raised between the Bay of Islands and West Auckland, Murray has spent much of his career serving communities across New Zealand. His hapū are Ngāti Kuta and Patu Keha, and his iwi is Ngāpuhi. Throughout his career he has held a number of senior leadership and CEO roles, bringing experience across community, cultural and economic development organisations.
Before moving into executive leadership, Murray served in the New Zealand Defence Force, later going on to lead organisations including Eden Park, the Lion Foundation, Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum, Northland Inc, and more recently the Cornwall Park Trust Board.
A Personal Connection to the Cause
Murray joined the Big Buddy Mentoring Trust Board in February 2025.
“What inspired me to get involved with Big Buddy? Well, a couple of things.” The first was friendship.
“Travis is a very good friend of mine and he asked if I wanted to be involved.” But there was also a deeply personal reason.
“My father passed away quite young, so I realised at a very early age how important it is to have a mentor in your life.”
Losing his father gave Murray first-hand insight into the value of having trusted adults and positive role models around you. When he learned more about Big Buddy’s work supporting boys who may not have a consistent male role model in their lives, he knew it was something he wanted to be part of.
“I thought what the Big Buddy Mentoring Trust wants to do was a great thing to be part of.”
Learning from Those Who Lead by Example
Throughout his military career, Murray encountered people whose leadership left a lasting impression.
“There were guys there who had very good morals and ethics and ways about them that you admired and hoped to emulate.”
Those experiences reinforced something he has carried throughout his life and career: leadership is often less about authority and more about example.
Whether serving in the Defence Force or leading organisations focused on philanthropy, culture and regional development, Murray has seen how much influence one person can have simply by demonstrating integrity, consistency and care for others.
It’s the same principle that sits at the heart of Big Buddy.
Building Stronger Futures
That commitment to serving people and strengthening communities is one of the reasons Big Buddy’s mission resonates so strongly with him.When Murray was appointed CEO of Northland Inc, he spoke about his commitment to improving social and economic outcomes and helping create positive change for communities. He described the opportunity to serve the region he is deeply passionate about as both a personal and professional aspiration. You can read more about that chapter of Murray’s leadership journey here.
Today, Murray serves as Chief Executive of Cornwall Park Trust Board, helping steward one of Auckland’s most treasured public spaces for future generations. The role reflects a philosophy that has guided much of his career: investing in people, places and communities so they can thrive long into the future. As guardians of Cornwall Park’s legacy, Murray and his team are responsible for protecting and enhancing a treasured taonga so it continues to serve and inspire generations to come. It’s a perspective that also shapes his support of Big Buddy. Just as Cornwall Park is managed with future generations in mind, Murray sees mentoring as a long-term investment in young people, creating a ripple effect that benefits not only the boy himself, but also his family, community and the generations that follow.
That same community-focused philosophy is reflected in the way he talks about Big Buddy.
“My hope for Big Buddy is that it can continue to exist. It fulfils a really important function.”
For the boys who come through the programme, his hopes are simple.
“I hope they find happiness and confidence in life and find a mentor that fits with them and helps them through life.”
Big Buddy’s mentoring relationships are built on consistency, trust and connection. Over time, those relationships can help boys develop confidence, resilience and a stronger belief in themselves.
Why Men Need to Step Up
For Murray, there is a clear need for more men to become mentors.
“I think there’s probably a need in society for those kinds of things.”
He points to the reality that many young boys are growing up without a father or positive male role model in their lives.
“There’s lots of young boys who grow up without a father, and I think it’s really important to have a male mentor in their life, or a good mentor in their life.”
Being a mentor doesn’t require special qualifications. It simply requires a willingness to show up, listen, build trust and be a consistent presence in a young person’s life.
One Relationship Can Change a Life
Looking back, Murray can clearly see the impact that mentors and role models have had on his own journey, from coping with the loss of his father to learning from the men he served alongside during his military career.
Today, as a Trustee of the Big Buddy Mentoring Trust and Chief Executive of the Cornwall Park Trust Board, he remains passionate about creating stronger futures, whether that’s nurturing one of Auckland’s most beloved public spaces or helping more boys access the guidance and support of a positive male role model.
His message is simple:
positive role models matter.
And sometimes, one caring adult who chooses to show up can make all the difference.
