Link: https://old.reddit.com/r/newzealand/comments/1vs8c85/big_buddy_the_mentoring_programme_for_boys/

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The original was posted on /r/newzealand by /u/septicman on 2026-08-19 01:28:42+00:00.

Original Title: Big Buddy (the mentoring programme for boys without any male role models in their lives) currently has 83 boys waiting for a mentor, which means they've had to stop accepting applications in four different intake areas. Can you or someone you know step up?

Hamilton, Tauranga, West and South Auckland are turning boys away at the moment because of a shortage of adult men to take on mentoring roles.

I have been a Big Buddy for 5 years now, and it's the most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life.

If you a decent man and have a few hours to spare each week, you could make a real difference in someone's life.

Please search Big Buddy NZ to find out more, or reply to this post and I'd be happy to tell you more about the experience and how to get in touch.

I'm not affiliated formally with the organization, but we all get emailed updates about the programme in general, and it's heartbreaking to know they're turning boys away.

In the Big Buddy central office, there's a wall of photographs. One one side, there's dozens and dozens of photographs of boys who are waiting for a match. On the other, there's a mere handful of men who are in various stages of the application process.

Please, if you know someone that could be a fit, just mention it to them.

Almost no-one can change the world, but you can change the world for one person.

Cheers.