Big Buddy, the charity that has been supporting boys without dads in their lives, in the Bay of Plenty for nearly five years, is proud to announce its first-ever Big Buddy Charity Lunch in Tauranga, to be held at the Mount Maunganui Surf Club on Thursday, 22 May 2025.

Big Buddy matches boys aged 7–17 with good guys from the community, helping them grow in confidence, resilience and general wellbeing. The lunch and auction will help Big Buddy deepen its impact in the Western Bay of Plenty region.

Guests at the event will enjoy a premium lunch experience featuring inspiring guest speakers, networking opportunities, and a chance to support a vital cause.

Bay of Plenty Mentoring Manager Brad Fleming has called on his former New Zealand Sevens star team mates Karl Te Nana and Mils Muliaina, to speak at the event. The three represented NZ in the early 2000s under Gordon Tietjens who led a golden era in Sevens. Tauranga Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular is another keynote speaker.

“We’re excited to bring our Big Buddy community together for this special event,” says Brad Fleming. “The fundraising lunch will be about more than just raising money—it’s a powerful way to celebrate the everyday impact of mentoring and encourage ongoing support for our local boys while hearing from models who themselves have shown resilience, at a national level.”

Tickets are $100 per person, with all proceeds going directly to support Big Buddy’s mentoring programmes in the Bay of Plenty. Live and siletn auctions will take place, with amazing items donated by local businesses.

Guest Speakers: Karl Te Nana and Mils Muliaina

For tickets and more information, email Christie@bigbuddy.org.nz