In an increasingly disrupted world, individuals and community organisations are working hard to make Aotearoa a little better every day. This series shines a light on them. 

Puffy white clouds dot the sky overhead, the early spring sun warms the footpath, a stream flows gently alongside. Helius stops to inspect a tree and photograph the frilly lichens that blanket its trunk. He’s on his way to do the weekly shop with his mum Kitty. 

“Helius loves the supermarket, ever since he was a toddler. He’s really curious about all the food, and he loves the back room. There’s a few times that I was shopping, and then he just suddenly disappeared, and we found him in the back room,” Kitty laughs.

Helius is 14 and was diagnosed with autism when he was two. His main challenges are comprehension and conversation, but he loves school, Kitty says. One of his favourite parts about it is Mini Woolies.

“Mini Woolies is like a little miniature supermarket setup at school, a little replica of a real-world environment,” says Matt Granger director of property at Woolworths. From working the till, to stocking shelves, helping customers and doing their own shops, Mini Woolies gives students a chance to have fun and learn skills that will help set them up for everyday life. 

There are currently six Mini Woolies in New Zealand. In this episode of ‘A little better every day’, we spend the day at one with Helius, his teachers and fellow students.