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South Auckland is set to receive a much-needed boost for its Big Buddy programme with the upcoming auction of a charity house build.
G.J. Gardner Homes’ latest charity build for Big Buddy is now complete and ready for viewing, with gross profits of the sale going directly to Big Buddy Mentoring Trust to help more boys without dads in their lives find a mentor.
The listing for the four-bedroom home at 9 Suffolk Down Road, Karaka, is now live and will go to auction on-site next Sunday, November 9 at 4.30pm, with a complimentary coffee cart and sausage sizzle running from 1pm to 4pm.
Big Buddy says South Auckland is currently one of their biggest areas of need, with eight boys waiting to be matched with a Big Buddy. Auckland-wide wide 47 boys are waiting for a mentor.
This is the fifth G.J. Gardner Homes Charity Build supporting Big Buddy – a remarkable legacy of giving that continues to change lives, a spokesperson for Big Buddy says.
Part of what motivated G.J. Gardner Homes Papakura franchisee Mike O’Meeghan and his team to support Big Buddy was seeing a number of young men coming through the building industry who had grown up without a father around.
“We were inspired to be part of making a difference in boys’ lives early on, through Big Buddy. I am very proud of what we have achieved and so very grateful to all the people who came together to help support us. Together, we made a great team,” he says.
G.J. Gardner Homes Papakura’s most recent build for Big Buddy, completed late 2023 in Clarks Beach, raised close to $100,000 for Big Buddy, bringing the total raised for Big Buddy over time to a massive $400,000.
Among those who have been following the latest build closely are Big Buddy Markus and his 12-year-old Little Buddy Logan from Papakura. They enjoyed attending the traditional first concrete pour on site back in June.
Markus, a carpenter, says he and Logan have bonded over shared ‘hands-on’ projects.
“We built a ramp for his skateboard and enjoy doing projects together. Next, we’re planning to build a cabinet,” Markus says.
“I like keeping Logan busy and off a computer. He’s even started talking about maybe working in this area when he grows up. Time will tell, but for now, it keeps him motivated and learning.”
Stories like Markus and Logan’s show exactly what Big Buddy is all about – the power of simple, consistent connections that help boys grow in confidence, resilience, and belonging.
It’s these relationships that G.J. Gardner Homes’ charity builds helps make possible. Each home sold directly funds more matches like theirs, ensuring more boys without dads can find the steady support of a mentor.
Big Buddy Co-CEO Christie Stuart says: “The money raised will be vital to support the need in our South Auckland community and across the motu, recruiting and screening more volunteer mentors and bringing together more Big and Little Buddies.”
“We would like to thank G.J. Gardner Homes Papakura for this particular build for stepping up yet again to help Big Buddy. We are also so grateful to all the people behind the scenes, Ray White, Karaka and all the suppliers and tradespeople who have given their own personal time and helped with discounts and donated resources. Their passion and belief in our mahi is incredibly appreciated.”
Open homes will be held every weekend, Saturday and Sunday, from 1pm to 1.45pm, running right up until auction day. Attendees at the open homes or auction will have the chance to enter a draw for one of two $100 Prezzy Card vouchers, donated by Carters Building Supplies.
About Big Buddy
Big Buddy connects boys without a father in their lives with positive male role models.
Boys 7–13 are matched one-to-one with their own volunteer Big Buddy, while teenage boys 14–17 join our group programme, which includes an adventure camp.
Volunteers meet once a week for a few hours to mentor and support the boys. Over 27 years, Big Buddy has matched 1,240 boys, directly impacting 3,750 lives.
Big Buddies average 747 volunteer hours each week.
Local supporters involved in the project
- Podflor (slab)
- Albycon (site/earth works)
- Affordable Scaffolding
- Aspect Roofing
- Carters (frame and truss)
- Universal Bricklayers Ltd
- Indoorz (doors)
- Assa Abloy (discounted all door hardware)
- GoFox (electrical works)
- Vision Windows (joinery)
- Plumbcraft (plumbing and drainage works)
- Plumbing World (plumbing tapware, etc)
- Proclad exteriors (Linea facade)
- Newtech (vanities and mirrors)
- Grand Interiors (kitchen and laundry)
- Tile Depot (tiles)
- Express Tiling (tiling work)
- Fisher & Paykel (kitchen appliances, including fridge plus washing machine and dryer)
- Horizon (painting work)
- Space (landscaping)
- Carpet Court (flooring)
- Showerwell (shower screens and wire shelving)
- The Designers Table (interior design)
- Gorgeous Homes (home staging)
