About Heilala
Heilala Vanilla is a remarkable New Zealand-Tongan brand that transformed disaster relief into a thriving ethical business. Founded in 2002 by John Ross after Cyclone Waka devastated Tonga's Vava'u island, what began as an aid project has grown into the world's only B Corp certified vanilla company with complete vine-to-pantry ownership. Named after Tonga's national flower (pronounced Hey-la-la), Heilala started when Ross discovered Vava'u's vanilla cultivation history while helping rebuild after the cyclone. Partnering with the Latu family and former Tongan Minister of Agriculture Haniteli Fa'anunu, a plantation was established on eight acres of gifted land. The first harvest in 2005 yielded just 45kg of dried beans—now over 400 smallholder families cultivate vanilla on traditional allotments passed through generations. Ross's daughter Jennifer Boggiss and her husband Garth introduced the vanilla to New Zealand restaurateurs, who immediately recognised its exceptional quality. Today, Heilala ships tonnes of vanilla annually to their Te Puna, Tauranga headquarters for processing into beans, extract, paste, sugar, syrup, and ice cream—all while maintaining direct relationships with Tongan farming communities. The Heilala Vanilla Foundation, established in 2013 as a registered charitable trust, ensures ongoing community sustainability in Vava'u. This commitment to social impact alongside premium quality makes Heilala a pioneer in ethical vanilla sourcing, demonstrating how business can genuinely benefit communities while delivering world-class ingredients to discerning bakers and chefs worldwide.


