Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Canterbury

25/06/2026

June is all about shining a light on the incredible people who make mentoring possible - and today, we're celebrating 'Big Sister' Thais. 🙌

Thais and Inari are celebrating three years matched through our school-based mentoring programme. Each week during the school term, Thais shows up for Inari, helping creativity and confidence grow.

United by a shared love of art, animals and all things creative, these two have spent plenty of time drawing, crafting and creating together. And if cookies happen to be involved, even better! 🍪🐱

Thank you Thais, for three years of consistency, encouragement and friendship. Week after week, you've been someone Inari can count on - and that makes a lasting difference.

👀 And if Thais and Inari look familiar, keep an eye out for them on our Southbrook Road billboard this month, kindly funded by Harcourts Four Seasons Realty and celebrating the volunteers at the heart of youth mentoring!

25/06/2026

This morning we shared a farewell morning tea with three very special neighbours - Kay, Renée and Sharon - as they prepare for the next chapter. 👋

For many years, these wonderful women have provided an invaluable budgeting and financial mentoring service to our North Canterbury community, supporting countless individuals and whānau through life's challenges with kindness, compassion and practical advice.

While we'll certainly miss having them next door at the Rangiora War Memorial Community Centre, we're pleased that from 1 July, Kay and Renée will continue providing free, confidential financial mentoring through The Salvation Army North Canterbury, based at 12 Ashley Street, Rangiora. Sharon, meanwhile, is heading into a well-earned retirement, and we wish her every happiness for the adventures ahead.

🙏 Thank you ladies, for your friendship, support and the incredible difference you've made in the lives of so many over the years. You'll be greatly missed, but we're so pleased this vital service will continue for our community.

24/06/2026

From primary school to her final year of high school, ‘Big Sister’ Liz has been right there beside Abbey every step of the way - the kind of commitment is all about celebrating. 🙌

Abbey and Liz have been matched for an incredible six years in our youth mentoring programme. During that time, Abbey has grown from a primary school student into a young woman in her final year of high school, with a part-time job, her restricted licence and even a car to get herself around. 🚗✨

Life looks very different these days and can be busy for them both, but one thing hasn't changed - they still make time for each other. Whether it's baking, grabbing a coffee, heading out for a meal or simply catching up for a chat, their friendship remains as strong as ever.

Thank you Liz, for being a steady source of encouragement, support and friendship through so many important chapters of Abbey's life. 💜

23/06/2026

Our mentoring matches are lighting up Southbrook Road in Rangiora as part of and it’s safe to say we’re VERY proud of the amazing people in our programme! 🤩

Huge thanks to Harcourts Four Seasons, Harcourts Foundation NZ, VAST Billboards and Little Genie for helping us celebrate the people who make youth mentoring across North Canterbury possible! 🙏

22/06/2026

Some mentoring matches just click from the very beginning - and two years later, Jack and John are still going strong. 🙌

As part of this June, we’re celebrating the volunteers who quietly become mentors, role models, cheerleaders and sometimes even honorary grandparents along the way.

Jack and John have built a friendship filled with laughter, shared interests and plenty of time spent working on classic cars together. 🚗🔧The pair also enjoy attending car rallies and hanging out at our match events or other community gatherings.

Jack’s dad shares; “They get on like a house on fire. They couldn't be a better match to be honest. Jack has even started calling him Grandad John at home, which I think is cool.”

Thank you John, for being such a steady, caring and positive presence in Jack’s life.

18/06/2026

Every Friday, Addison knows there's someone special waiting for her. 💜

June is all about celebrating the volunteers who give their time to support young people in our community - and today, we're celebrating 'Big Sister' Karen. 🙌

Matched with Addison for one whole year through our school-based mentoring programme, these two have baked, played games and shared plenty of laughs along the way.

After recently travelling overseas to visit family, Karen is especially excited to catch up with Addison again and hear all about what she's been up to while they've been apart. ✈️

Addison's Deputy Principal shares; "It's been so great for Addison to have something to look forward to on Fridays at school."

Thank you Karen, for showing up, listening, caring and helping make Fridays a little brighter for Addison.

17/06/2026

It’s official! Lisa (Big) and Leah (Little) have joined our youth mentoring programme and this super creative duo already have plenty of adventures planned together.

Leah is excited to teach Lisa how to skim stones on the river, while Lisa can’t wait to share her love of crochet and knitting with Leah. 🧶🍀

From riverside adventures to cosy craft sessions, these two already have so much in common and we have a feeling they’re going to make some pretty special memories together.

A huge thank you to the ANZ New Zealand Staff Foundation for helping make matches like this possible. Through payroll giving, almost 2,000 ANZ staff donate regularly from their wages, with ANZ matching every $1 donated with an extra $2. 🫶

Support like this helps us connect more local young people with caring adult mentors across North Canterbury and we are so grateful.

16/06/2026

Shopping locally? 🛒 Grab a token and vote for Big Brothers Big Sisters in the FreshChoice Mandeville Community Shout - a simple way to support vulnerable kids in your community 💜

16/06/2026

Don't forget to collect your token when you shop and vote for Big Brothers Big Sisters! 🫶

🏆 COMMUNITY SHOUT UPDATE 🏆

👀 One organisation has quietly closed the gap this week...

The race is heating up at FreshChoice Mandeville, with just a handful of tokens separating our Community Shout organisations!

🏐 Ohoka Netball Club
💜 Big Brothers Big Sisters North Canterbury
🏫 Ohoka School

There's still plenty of time for the leaderboard to change, and every blue token can make a difference.

Who are you supporting this round? Let us know in the comments below 👇

Don't forget to collect your token when you shop and vote for the local organisation you'd like to see receive funding.

💙 Local supporting local 💙

15/06/2026

As part of this June, we’re celebrating the amazing volunteers who quietly make our communities stronger - and today, we’re celebrating ‘Big Sister’ Janet. 🙌

For the past two years, Janet and Diviannah have built a beautiful friendship through our school-based mentoring programme. Their mentoring sessions happen during school terms, but their connection is so strong they also catch up throughout the holidays too - because neither of them likes taking a break from mentoring!

Pictured at our recent kayaking match event, Diviannah gave kayaking a go for the very first time… and absolutely thrived. After getting the hang of things in a tandem kayak with Janet, she confidently headed out in her own kayak, paddling far along the river with Janet right beside her, encouraging her every step of the way. 🚣‍♀️

Diviannah’s mum shares; “She absolutely adores Jan and looks forward to mentoring every week.” 💜

Thank you Janet, for always showing up and being such an important part of Diviannah’s world.