Our History
At Big Buddy, we believe in the power of connection. Big connections across generations.
Our story is one of whakapapa - of people, purpose, and relationships that span time.
Big Buddy began in 1997 around a kitchen table in West Auckland, as part of Man Alive NZ (Man Alive NZ | Building Healthy Relationships | Support for Men & Boys). A community organisation working with men, boys and whānau offering counselling, non-violence programmes and other services. Driven by the recognition that boys growing up without their father in their life were at significantly higher risk of poor outcomes. Studies revealed more than 80% of men in prison had been without their father through childhood. Out of this insight, the Big Buddy mentoring programme was born: matching positive, carefully screened male role models with young boys aged 7 – 14, in the Auckland region (Orewa in the north to Papakura in the south, Kumeu in the west to Howick in the east).
Founding Leadership
In 2002, Richard Aston joined Big Buddy when it had just five matches and no digital systems. Over a 15-year tenure, he professionalised the agency building a rigorous screening system for mentors, and establishing robust programme delivery.
With Man Alive’s blessing, in 2004 Big Buddy Mentoring Trust was registered and established as its own stand-alone charitable trust. The original governing body was made up of community champions Wally Thomas, Michael Jones, Mike Murphy and Richard.
Post Covid Recovery - Expanding our Kaupapa
Whilst Big Buddy engaged the community as much as possible during the lockdown restrictions, the Little Buddies and Big Buddy were now enjoying the normalcy of returning to their in-person meet-ups.
In June 2023 Paul left Big Buddy and Jason Judkins was appointed CEO, bringing extensive executive experience in commercial enterprises.
Recognising the evolving needs of boys and communities, in 2023 Big Buddy undertook extensive research in the needs for older boys. Working closely with ThinkPod (a University of Auckland student-led consulting organisation) and Adventure Works (a professional outdoor adventures provider) a new programme was developed that is evidence-based and best practice, to ensure positive youth outcomes are achieved. Two 8 week long pilot programmes for teenage boys were held in Auckland in 2024.
Growth
The Big Buddy programme was growing with the need clearly felt outside of just the Auckland region. In 2008 the first mentoring programme outside of Auckland was set up in the country’s capital Wellington. Covering the area from Waikanae in the north to Wellington City in the south & Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt in the east.
With the establishment of two regions, the need continued to grow. Big Buddy established Hamilton as the third region in 2016 to receive the One-to-One mentoring programme. Covering Hamilton City to Cambridge and the area in between these towns.
By the time Richard retired in August 2017, over 700 mentoring matches (1,400 Big & Little Buddies) had been made across the three regions.
Next Phase
Paul Burns succeeded Richard in 2017 and served as CEO for six years, guiding Big Buddy through a period of significant organisational growth.
Under his leadership, the charity rebranded to the logo you see in use today and celebrated its 1,111th match. He focused on strengthening Big Buddy’s national profile, building partnerships, and deepening donor relationships.
In 2020 Big Buddy added a fourth region growing the reach of support. The launch of the Tauranga region (Omokoroa in the north to Te Puke in the south, Tauriko and Pyes Pa in the west.) in February 2020 was met with positive support from the community. However like many organisations the COVID lockdowns that were to happen weeks later hampered the establishment of new One-to-One personal connections that the Big Buddy kaupapa is built on.
Today & Tomorrow
In July 2024, Big Buddy transitioned to a joint leadership model.
Steve Sobota (Programme & Community) and Christie Stuart (Partnerships and Development) stepped into Co-CEO roles. Steve brought nearly two decades at Big Buddy and deep programme knowledge, while Christie brought expertise in business development, sponsorship and events management.
In November 2024 Big Buddy Group, a programme for boys aged 14 – 17 years was officially launched. This initiative complements the traditional One-to-One mentoring model by bringing teenage boys together in a safe, supportive peer environment where they can build confidence, learn practical life skills, and connect with positive male role models over the course of an 8-week programme.
Over the course of 2025 the Big Buddy Group Programme has been launched across 3 of the 4 regions – Auckland, Wellington & Tauranga – with a view to bring Hamilton on in the future.
The organisation has expanded from five paper-based matches in the early 2000’s to supporting thousands of boys nationwide today. With two established programmes and offices operating in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton & Tauranga, backed by staff and volunteer many volunteers. Yet our mission remains constant: to match boys without fathers with safe, kind, reliable men to build confidence, resilience and lasting connections.
There are an estimated 8,000 boys in New Zealand living without their father in their life, At any one time, Big Buddy’s One-2-One programme can have over 100 boys waiting for a mentor. Our need to reach and recruit good men continues.
Every match made generates a ripple - through individuals, families, and communities across Aotearoa. Big Buddy grows stronger, serving more boys, strengthening lives, and honouring the legacy built over nearly three decades.
