News Stories
True Pacific producer Heilala Vanilla launches charitable foundation to support local community
May 6, 2013
Heilala Vanilla, New Zealand’s premium vanilla grower and producer, has launched the Heilala Vanilla Foundation to build on its already strong ties with the people of Vava’u, Tonga. Heilala Vanilla in Vava’u grew its first vanilla crop for production in 2005, but vanilla is not what attracted its New Zealand owners to Tonga in the first place.
Tinopai produce growing in stature
March 28, 2013
When Pousima Afeaki moved from New Zealand to Tonga in 1993 to set up Tinopai Farm in Vaini on the main island of Tongatapu, his dream was for Tonga to become a world-renowned exporter of fresh frozen and processed foods. In 1994 Tinopai made its first shipment of produce to Japan, and now exports a selection of sustainably-grown fresh and frozen produce to New Zealand, Australia and Japan.
A True hit at the Pacific Showcase Market
March 18, 2013
Piloted as a short five Saturday season in the 2013 summer, more than 4000 visitors converged on The Cloud each weekend for the Pacific Showcase Market, which brought the best of the Pacific to the waterfront. As Auckland’s newest Pacific summer market place, the Showcase included over 60 market stalls selling Pacific and local products.
Reaping the rewards
March 18, 2013
More than 30 years ago Minoru Nishi Senior, who was manager of a Tongan construction company after leaving Japan, started a small farming business as a way of supplementing his income. Before long, the business flourished to the point where it became a viable option for supporting his whole family. Now it’s one of Tonga’s leading exporters of fresh produce.
Recipe: Individual Heilala Vanilla Baked Custards
March 12, 2013
In summer these individual baked custards are delicious with fresh raspberries or strawberries macerated in a splash of Heilala vanilla syrup. Ingredients 1 ½ cups full cream milk 1 Heilala vanilla bean, split or 1 teaspoon Heilala vanilla paste 2 whole eggs 2 egg yolks ¼ cup caster sugar Instructions Preheat the oven to 160oC.