Ola Pacifica

Values

About

Ola Pacifica was founded by Alofagia Isara-Belcher (aka Nia) with two missions in mind. The first was to connect cocoa growers in her home country of Samoa with the market in New Zealand. The second was to provide a delicious, dairy-free chocolate to lactose-intolerant consumers like herself (as well as the general public). 

When the company was founded in 2010, most of the cacao in New Zealand was being sourced from big cocoa growing countries such as Ghana, Peru, Brazil and South America. Not many people knew that quality cocoa was grown in nearby Samoa.

Nia and her team connected with local communities in Samoa and developed our own range of pure cacao products, from cacao beans, to nibs, cacaoccino (which is a 100% authentic hot chocolate) and eventually three flavours of dark chocolate: orange, coffee and almond. All of their products have no dairy or milk, no soy, no lecithin, no GMO and no gluten.

The cacao beans are ethically sourced from Samoa, and have benefitted over 250+ growers and their families. 

“We started our business on ethical principles especially to help the growers families send children to school and help with the elderly.”

Nia explains that people in Samoa have high expectations for their kids' education and regardless of struggles, families will do anything to send children to school. But this is difficult with worsening economic conditions - minimal job opportunities, a growing population, and a very low minimum wage. 

Nia and her team are proud to say that their direct trade efforts have helped families find an income, provide for their children’s education and establish a dialogue that goes beyond cacao trading. 

Ola Pacifica chocolate beans are grown without the use of any chemicals or pesticides. They value sustainability and ensure that their packaging is recyclable and that their products are certified carbon neutral – with CO2 calculated & offset by planting timber trees in Peru as part of a reforestation project.

The company is always looking for opportunities to give back both in New Zealand and Samoa. They often sponsor events and donate to community initiatives and school activities. They also sent free products to essential workers as well as those who were made redundant during covid lockdown.

“We have been so fortunate and grateful to all of the kind, loyal supporters of Ola Pacifica who continue to make it all worth it.”