‘Breaking down barriers for kids to get to school’
16 Feb 2026
KidsCan provides food, jackets, shoes and more to about 1000 schools and 500 early childhood education centres.
Martin starts baking at 2:30 in the morning. He’s been crowned Hot Cross Bun Baker of the Year twice. First he measures out flour, sugar and spices. Then he adds thousands of currants and sultanas to the mix. HCB season has just started at Woolworths.
About 30 minutes away, at Waterview School, Breakfast Club is just starting up. Students have gathered around for a meal before their day of learning begins. Most of the kai has been supplied by KidsCan.
KidsCan provides food, jackets, shoes and more to about 1000 schools and 500 early childhood education centres. ”It’s about breaking down barriers for kids to get to school,” says Doyle Matautia operations manager. Every year, Woolworths donates five cents from every packet sold of Woolworths own in-store baked hot cross buns to KidsCan. In 2025, the total contribution was over $85,000.
Back at the bakery, Martin pulls the HCBs out of the oven. They are glistening, golden brown. He can’t compete for the crown this year, as he’ll be heading home to see his mum in Vietnam, but he knows his work will still be put to great use.
In this episode of ‘A little better every day’, we spend the day at the bakery, in the classroom and at the KidsCan warehouse.
Made in partnership with Woolworths New Zealand.
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