Heilala Vanilla this month celebrates its 10th year in business since its first vanilla harvest in Vava’u in 2005.

A Heilala vanilla plantation was established in Vava’u as an aid project  after the island was struck by a cyclone.

Since 2005, Heilala Vanilla moved on and established a vanilla processing facility in Tauranga, New Zealand, and it is New Zealand’s only pure vanilla business, exporting to seven countries, where their vanilla products have won praise from the food industry and chefs.

Heilala recently partnered with a new group of vanilla growers in Madagascar and is also aiming to get the vanilla industry in the Cook Islands off the ground.

“By having continuity of supply, we can secure more customers, and more importantly, ensure long term financial security for our growers,” stated company co-founder and CEO, Jennifer Boggiss.