Ola Pacifica

Boutique chocolatier Ola Pacifica started with a 100kg bag of cacao beans from a small village in Samoa. Samoa-born Nia Belcher and her husband Phil started their sweet business in 2010 to support villages in Samoa. “We're very proud to be making a difference. It's putting food on the table, helping with kids' education, helping care for the elderly. The Samoan way of life is very different from New Zealand — it revolves around helping others, resourcefulness and sustainability. Trust and loyalty are how we trade in Samoa, and I feel a great sense of responsibility,” says Nia. Available at Bellatino's Food Lovers Market, a great stockist of Hawke's Bay produce. 2A Treachers Lane, Havelock North. (06) 875 8103, on Facebook.