At Big Buddy, some of our best ideas don’t start in boardrooms or strategy sessions — they start in conversation. This one began in our Mentors chat group, where a few Big Buddies shared a common challenge.
Their Little Buddies had discovered a new interest: fishing.
The problem?
Many mentors didn’t have access to a boat, fishing gear, or even much fishing knowledge themselves. They wanted to say yes to their Little Buddy’s curiosity, but didn’t quite know how.
What followed was a brilliant example of what happens when volunteers, community, and generous partners come together.
When Mentors Ask, the Big Buddy Community Responds
Big Buddy mentors volunteer their time, heart, and energy — and like all great role models, they’re constantly learning alongside their Little Buddies. The fishing conversation quickly turned into mentors swapping advice, sharing stories, and looking for ways to make the experience possible.
That’s when we reached out to one of our amazing partners, Skipperi.
After a few conversations, a plan was formed:
A small group of Big and Little Buddies would head out on the water for a fishing experience they’d never forget.
A Perfect Sunday on the Water
On Sunday the 3rd of May, the weather turned it on — blue skies, calm water, and the kind of day that feels made for being outdoors.
For some of the boys, this was their first time fishing from a boat. For others, it was a chance to build confidence, learn something new, and spend uninterrupted time with their Big Buddy in a completely different environment.
There were rods to cast, lines to untangle, plenty of laughs, and a lot of learning — not just about fishing, but about patience, teamwork, and resilience.
And yes, there were fish.
More Than Fishing: Why Experiences Like This Matter
While the fishing was exciting, the real magic was in what happened around it.
Being out on the water created space for:
- Natural conversations without distractions
- Mentors teaching through shared experience
- Boys feeling trusted, included, and capable
- Stronger bonds forming through doing something new together
These are the moments that mentoring is built on. Experiences like this help boys see what’s possible, build self‑belief, and create memories they’ll carry with them long after the day ends.
For mentors, it was a reminder that you don’t need to have all the answers — sometimes you just need to be willing to ask for help and say yes to opportunity.
Huge Thanks to Our Community and Partners
We’re incredibly grateful to Skipperi for making this day possible and for supporting Big Buddy in such a practical, meaningful way. Partnerships like this help us say yes to opportunities that enrich the lives of both Big and Little Buddies.
It’s also a testament to our mentors, who spoke up on behalf of their Little Buddies and helped turn an idea into a real‑world adventure.
Could You Help Create Experiences Like This?
This fishing day has sparked an exciting question for us — and an invitation to our wider community.
Do you:
- Have access to activities, equipment, or experiences in your region?
- Run a business or know someone who could host a hands‑on activity?
Whether it’s fishing, building, hiking, creating, learning, or exploring — shared experiences can be life‑changing, especially when they’re guided by a trusted mentor.
If you’re able to help create opportunities for Big Buddy matches in our regions ie Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Wellington, we’d love to hear from you email asher@bigbuddy.org.nz
Together, We Create Possibility
At Big Buddy, mentoring is about more than showing up — it’s about expanding horizons. Sometimes that starts with a simple question in a chat group. Other times, it ends with a boy on a boat, rod in hand, feeling proud, capable, and supported.
That’s the power of community.
That’s the power of mentoring.
And that’s what Big Buddy is all about.
If you’d like to support or offer experiences for Big and Little Buddies, please get in touch — together, we can create more days like this.
