Hospitality leader Travis Field has stepped down from the Big Buddy Mentoring Trust board, but promises to continue his support.
After nearly a decade as chair of the Big Buddy Mentoring Trust, hospitality legend Travis Field has officially retired and stepped down from the Board after 14 years of service.
Field’s 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 Field 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 said.
“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.”
He said it is 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.”
Field 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 NZD 400,000 hosting long lunches over the years, with an upcoming event already lined up for October 2025.
“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 have strengthened Big Buddy,” said Big Buddy Co-CEO Steve Sobota.
“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.”
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