Our Story

I grew up in Vanuatu, where my parents have lived for over 40 years. From early on, I saw the connection between people, land, and the products that come from it.

My mum started an NGO called ACTIV Limited in Vanuatu to help local communities access more markets. Over time, cacao producers began coming to her, looking for ways to sell beyond the islands. But there was a problem, they couldn’t compete with large-scale producers like Brazil on price.

So they changed the game.

Instead of chasing volume, they focused on quality.

That shift is what led to the creation of Aelan Chocolate. My mum worked closely with a small group of farmers, refining the quality of their cacao and improving post-harvest processes. Over time, they developed beans that stood out on a global level.

Their work paid off! They were selected among the best in the world at the Cocoa of Excellence awards. More importantly, Aelan always kept producers at the centre, making sure their story and their craft were recognised. The only rule was simple: the cocoa stays with Aelan who made their own chocolate.

From there, they began producing chocolate that went on to win awards internationally, including in New Zealand.

Now, I’m based in New Zealand, and I’ve seen how difficult it is for island producers to reach global markets. Not because of quality, but because of logistics, scale, and access.

That’s why I created Smolaelan.

We work directly with Pacific producers, importing their products and sharing them with the world. Not just as goods, but as stories, communities, and generations of craft that deserve to be seen.