First Concrete Pour Celebrated In Karaka For Latest G.J. Gardner Homes Build For Big Buddy
Big Buddy is thrilled to share that G.J. Gardner Homes Papakura — led by local franchisees Len Adendorff, Nick Xue and Mike O'Meeghan — is once again backing Big Buddy in a big way.
They're building a brand-new four-bedroom home in Karaka and donating 100% of the profits to help more boys without dads in their lives find a Big Buddy. What an incredible show of local support!
This marks the fifth time GJ's has supported Big Buddy through a charity house project, a remarkable legacy of giving that continues to change lives.
The first concrete pour took place this week, with Big Buddy Markus and Little Buddy Logan on site, together with Len Adendorff and Nick Xue from GJ's Papakura, Shane Brown of Big Buddy, and site supervisor Michael Brookes.
GJ's most recent build for Big Buddy, completed late 2023 in Clarks Beach, raised an incredible $100,000 for Big Buddy, bringing the total raised for Big Buddy over time to a massive $400,000.
This year's build is once again expected to be a real community effort. Over 20 local companies supported the build by giving their time and skills, to achieve last year's result, reduced rates or donated hardware. Supporting the completion of everything from showers, tiling and appliances to scaffolding, roofing, bricks and batts!
Giving back is a foundation of the GJ's national ethos, and the connection of its Papakura branch to the South Auckland community and their passion about making a difference is heartfelt.
Big Buddy co-CEO Christie Stuart says the impact of the build will once again be significant.
'Thanks to our incredible Foundation Partner, GJ Gardner Homes, we are witnessing the power of community-driven change. By building a house to help raise funds, they are not only constructing a home but creating new opportunities and lasting impact for those in need. Together we are laying the foundation for a brighter future.'
'South Auckland is currently our biggest area of need. The money raised will be vital to support our on-going work to bring together Big and Little Buddies – there are currently 116 boys on our full waitlist, with 14 of those boys waiting to be matched in our South Auckland region.'
Programme Team Leader & Mentoring Manager Shane Brown confirms South Auckland Big Buddy enquiries have been low in the last 12 months.
'I think there are many factors at play, but I know firsthand that men in our South Auckland community value family, effort and honour. I try and advocate and challenge our male South Auckland community to acknowledge that they don't have to be perfect, they just have to be willing to share time, and that will add a whole new layer of connection, value and depth to their life which may extend to their own whanau in time.'
'Little Buddies I have met in South Auckland show a realness and a strong desire to share their world with a man, given many haven't had the opportunity to do so.'
'Even the simplest act of just turning up and giving some time, the offer of help, or an offer to go fishing, can be a huge deal for a lot of these boys. Family life has become a lot more demanding and difficult. The pressures on caregivers – many of whom are single mums—are immense, as they juggle the demands of work, finances, and raising children.'
Find out more about how to make a difference in the life of a young boy here.
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After nearly a decade as chair of the Big Buddy Mentoring Trust, Travis Field has officially retired and stepped down from the Board after 14 years of service. Travis' connection to Big Buddy is deeply personal. He first became involved after his best friend, Troy—affectionately known as 'Turtle'—was diagnosed with a terminal illness and ensured his twin sons were matched with a Big Buddy before he passed. That experience left a lasting impression, and Travis has been a passionate advocate ever since. He has been a board member since 2010. 'Big Buddy is a fence at the top of the cliff,' he says. 'Men are over-represented in bad mental health, violence, incarceration, and suicide statistics. A good man showing up at a pivotal time in a boy's life to prevent those statistics and to create a happy, healthy man for our country. 'It's such a simple but beautiful idea. A Big Buddy for a boy without a dad present. By just showing up, having fun, and caring, the impact on the boys is amazing, Travis says. Travis will continue to be closely involved with Big Buddy as a Major Partner, supporting fundraising events through his gastro pub, Fantail & Turtle, located at Smales Farm. Travis and his team have raised over $400,000 hosting long lunches over the years with an upcoming event already lined up for October 2025. Big Buddy Co-CEO Steve Sobota says: 'Travis balances a big, caring heart for boys who don't have their dads with his business acumen and governance skills, to inspire and motivate everyone around him. His creativity, humility and commitment to reach more boys has strengthened Big Buddy. 'The growth of the organisation during his tenure as Chair has been exceptional. Since the programme's inception in 1997 more than 1,240 boys have been matched with Big Buddies. Every week Big Buddies spend 747 hours with their Little Buddies.' New Chapter: Shaun Quincey Appointed Chair Big Buddy Mentoring Trust is proud to announce the appointment of Shaun Quincey as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees. Shaun brings a rich professional background with more than 20 years in venture capital and financial technology. He has held leadership and governance roles across New Zealand, Australia, and the USA, and is widely recognised for his success in scaling high-growth companies and driving innovation in the financial sector. Shaun is the founder of both Genoapay and Simfuni. But Shaun's story isn't just about business. He shares a unique bond with his father—together, they are the only people to have rowed solo across the Tasman Sea, each in opposite directions. This extraordinary father/son feat speaks volumes about Shaun's resilience and spirit, values that strongly align with Big Buddy's kaupapa. Shaun joined Big Buddy as a Trustee earlier this year and is now stepping into the Chair role, guiding the Trust through its next phase of growth. Shaun explains his connection. 'I believe most people can cast their mind back to a time where a mentor, coach, parent or teacher believedin them and gave them a small amount of time, energy or focus. Those interactions of support and guidanceno matter how brief have a profound impact and potentiallyset the foundations for extraordinary outcomes and better decisions. I think Big Buddy can scale time, energy and focus so young men get the guidancethey need and future New Zealand will have better dads, sons, uncles, husbands and partners.' Shaun says he is looking forward to supporting the ongoing financially stability of Big Buddy… 'Making sure that when our Little Buddies around the country put their hand up, we can match them with great men to help guide and love them like the people that have been there for us.' 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This can be anything from walking the dog, throwing a ball around, or visiting a café or even a museum. These Little Buddies are aged between 7 and 13. Older teenage boys between the ages of 14 to 17 are supported by the Big Buddy Group Programme which brings together peers with adult mentors and an expert facilitator.
Scoop
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After nearly a decade as chair of the Big Buddy Mentoring Trust, Travis Field has officially retired and stepped down from the Board after 14 years of service. Travis' connection to Big Buddy is deeply personal. He first became involved after his best friend, Troy—affectionately known as 'Turtle'—was diagnosed with a terminal illness and ensured his twin sons were matched with a Big Buddy before he passed. That experience left a lasting impression, and Travis has been a passionate advocate ever since. He has been a board member since 2010. 'Big Buddy is a fence at the top of the cliff,' he says. 'Men are over-represented in bad mental health, violence, incarceration, and suicide statistics. A good man showing up at a pivotal time in a boy's life to prevent those statistics and to create a happy, healthy man for our country. 'It's such a simple but beautiful idea. A Big Buddy for a boy without a dad present. By just showing up, having fun, and caring, the impact on the boys is amazing, Travis says. Travis will continue to be closely involved with Big Buddy as a Major Partner, supporting fundraising events through his gastro pub, Fantail & Turtle, located at Smales Farm. Travis and his team have raised over $400,000 hosting long lunches over the years with an upcoming event already lined up for October 2025. Big Buddy Co-CEO Steve Sobota says: 'Travis balances a big, caring heart for boys who don't have their dads with his business acumen and governance skills, to inspire and motivate everyone around him. His creativity, humility and commitment to reach more boys has strengthened Big Buddy. 'The growth of the organisation during his tenure as Chair has been exceptional. Since the programme's inception in 1997 more than 1,240 boys have been matched with Big Buddies. Every week Big Buddies spend 747 hours with their Little Buddies.' New Chapter: Shaun Quincey Appointed Chair Big Buddy Mentoring Trust is proud to announce the appointment of Shaun Quincey as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees. Shaun brings a rich professional background with more than 20 years in venture capital and financial technology. He has held leadership and governance roles across New Zealand, Australia, and the USA, and is widely recognised for his success in scaling high-growth companies and driving innovation in the financial sector. Shaun is the founder of both Genoapay and Simfuni. But Shaun's story isn't just about business. He shares a unique bond with his father—together, they are the only people to have rowed solo across the Tasman Sea, each in opposite directions. This extraordinary father/son feat speaks volumes about Shaun's resilience and spirit, values that strongly align with Big Buddy's kaupapa. Shaun joined Big Buddy as a Trustee earlier this year and is now stepping into the Chair role, guiding the Trust through its next phase of growth. Shaun explains his connection. 'I believe most people can cast their mind back to a time where a mentor, coach, parent or teacher believedin them and gave them a small amount of time, energy or focus. Those interactions of support and guidanceno matter how brief have a profound impact and potentiallyset the foundations for extraordinary outcomes and better decisions. I think Big Buddy can scale time, energy and focus so young men get the guidancethey need and future New Zealand will have better dads, sons, uncles, husbands and partners.' Shaun says he is looking forward to supporting the ongoing financially stability of Big Buddy… 'Making sure that when our Little Buddies around the country put their hand up, we can match them with great men to help guide and love them like the people that have been there for us.' Big Buddy Co-CEO Christie Stuart: 'We are incredibly fortunate and grateful to welcome someone of Shaun's calibre, willing to volunteer his extensive leadership and governance experience, his connection to the community, as well as his life experience.' 'We can't wait to start working with Shaun and to see how he will help guide Big Buddy as we continue to grow and support more boys across the country.' ABOUT BIG BUDDY Big Buddy works on the simple philosophy that a boy will benefit greatly from having a positive male role model in their life. Big Buddy has been providing mentoring relationships and group programmes for boys without a dad in their lives for over 27 years, matching over 1,240 boys and men. The programme supports boys aged between 7 and 17 in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Wellington. A Big and Little Buddy taking part in the Big Buddy One-to-One Mentoring Programme typically catch up for 2 to 3 hours most weeks. They choose what they want to do together. This can be anything from walking the dog, throwing a ball around, or visiting a café or even a museum. These Little Buddies are aged between 7 and 13. Older teenage boys between the ages of 14 to 17 are supported by the Big Buddy Group Programme which brings together peers with adult mentors and an expert facilitator.
Scoop
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First Concrete Pour Celebrated In Karaka For Latest G.J. Gardner Homes Build For Big Buddy
Press Release – Big Buddy Big Buddy is thrilled to share that G.J. Gardner Homes Papakura — led by local franchisees Len Adendorff, Nick Xue and Mike O'Meeghan — is once again backing Big Buddy in a big way. They're building a brand-new four-bedroom home in Karaka and donating 100% of the profits to help more boys without dads in their lives find a Big Buddy. What an incredible show of local support! This marks the fifth time GJ's has supported Big Buddy through a charity house project, a remarkable legacy of giving that continues to change lives. The first concrete pour took place this week, with Big Buddy Markus and Little Buddy Logan on site, together with Len Adendorff and Nick Xue from GJ's Papakura, Shane Brown of Big Buddy, and site supervisor Michael Brookes. GJ's most recent build for Big Buddy, completed late 2023 in Clarks Beach, raised an incredible $100,000 for Big Buddy, bringing the total raised for Big Buddy over time to a massive $400,000. This year's build is once again expected to be a real community effort. Over 20 local companies supported the build by giving their time and skills, to achieve last year's result, reduced rates or donated hardware. Supporting the completion of everything from showers, tiling and appliances to scaffolding, roofing, bricks and batts! Giving back is a foundation of the GJ's national ethos, and the connection of its Papakura branch to the South Auckland community and their passion about making a difference is heartfelt. Big Buddy co-CEO Christie Stuart says the impact of the build will once again be significant. 'Thanks to our incredible Foundation Partner, GJ Gardner Homes, we are witnessing the power of community-driven change. By building a house to help raise funds, they are not only constructing a home but creating new opportunities and lasting impact for those in need. Together we are laying the foundation for a brighter future.' 'South Auckland is currently our biggest area of need. The money raised will be vital to support our on-going work to bring together Big and Little Buddies – there are currently 116 boys on our full waitlist, with 14 of those boys waiting to be matched in our South Auckland region.' Programme Team Leader & Mentoring Manager Shane Brown confirms South Auckland Big Buddy enquiries have been low in the last 12 months. 'I think there are many factors at play, but I know firsthand that men in our South Auckland community value family, effort and honour. I try and advocate and challenge our male South Auckland community to acknowledge that they don't have to be perfect, they just have to be willing to share time, and that will add a whole new layer of connection, value and depth to their life which may extend to their own whanau in time.' 'Little Buddies I have met in South Auckland show a realness and a strong desire to share their world with a man, given many haven't had the opportunity to do so.' 'Even the simplest act of just turning up and giving some time, the offer of help, or an offer to go fishing, can be a huge deal for a lot of these boys. Family life has become a lot more demanding and difficult. The pressures on caregivers – many of whom are single mums—are immense, as they juggle the demands of work, finances, and raising children.' Find out more about how to make a difference in the life of a young boy here.
