A DOUBLE-HULLED oceangoing canoe is preparing to set off on a voyage of utmost importance – one which could impact the chocolate supply of New Zealand for a long time. Gabe Davidson, owner of the Wellington Chocolate Factory, will join the canoe to transport one tonne of cocoa beans from...
A DOUBLE-HULLED oceangoing
canoe is preparing to
set off on a voyage of utmost
importance – one which could
impact the chocolate supply of
New Zealand for a long time.
Gabe Davidson, owner of the
Wellington Chocolate Factory,
will join the canoe to transport
one tonne of cocoa beans from
Bougainville in Papua New
Guinea back to Wellington.
Uto ni Yalo is the name of the
canoe tasked with the journey,
to be accompanied by Davidson.
After sailing to Bougainville
from Fiji, arriving in early Aug,
Davidson will push off with
his previous cargo on 10 Aug,
stopping in Vanuatu on the way.
The voyage is testament to the
rich chocolatey history of the
PNG region, to be celebrated
with the production of a special
block called the Bougainville Bar.
Through the voyage, Davidson
is aiming to raise money for
struggling PNG cocoa farmer
James Rutana by using his beans
to make high-end chocolates,
with the proceeds to help fund
better facilities at Rutana’s farm.
