Apiata steps up for Big Buddy plan

Willie Apiata, VC, with Taraia Whatuira-Henderson, 17, at the launch of the Big Buddy Foundation. Photo / Richard Robinson

War hero Willie Apiata drew on his own experiences as a fatherless child to help launch a foundation close to his heart.

New Zealand's only living recipient of the Victoria Cross helped to launch the Big Buddy Foundation in Auckland last night, with Prime Minister John Key and All Black great Grant Fox.

The foundation will secure funding for the existing Big Buddy mentoring programme, which matches fatherless boys with adult buddies on the philosophy that boys need positive male role models in their lives in order to become good men.

Mr Apiata spoke of growing up without a father.

"I was just lucky to live in a small community where there were male role models there for me to be able to seek support, advice and ... finish off my training to become a man."

He felt privileged to be part of an organisation helping to build good young men, including 17-year-old Teraia Whatuira-Henderson, who gave a poignant speech about how much his buddy had helped him when his father committed suicide when he was 10.

Mr Apiata said: "There are a lot of us out there [without a father]. We all need a hand. Anything's possible in life, as you can see. Teraia standing up here, standing up straight, standing up tall with a strong foundation under his feet; speaking proudly, honestly to you all about his life."

Prime Minister John Key, whose father died when he was 6 years old, said he had always felt he had lived a rounded life. But he admitted there were things he had missed out on.

"I am the least practical New Zealander you will find. My wife always says: 'There are two sorts of people, honey. Doers and payers - and you are definitely a payer'."

The Big Buddy mentoring programme began in 1997, pairing big buddies with boys aged 7-14.

The foundation will help it become financially stable and match more boys with mentors.

Funding will go to areas that need it most, like South Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton and the Bay of Plenty.

Foundation trustee and All Black legend Grant Fox said more than 580 boys had been matched with mentors since 2003 but 144 were still on the waiting list.