Supporting local is ‘sweet as’
Last updated 07/12/2023: As a New Zealand owned and operated business, Whittaker’s is committed to supporting communities in our own backyard. Whether it is partnering with local charities, schools, events or communities, we are big believers in lending a helping hand for those who need it the most.
Porirua is the heart and home of Whittaker’s and we’re proud to have been crafting our chocolate here for more than 50 years. In 2023, Whittaker’s donated chocolate to over 800 fundraising groups and charities, with almost half of these being based in Porirua and wider Wellington. We’re passionate about supporting local initiatives. Read more about these and the support we have been providing to New Zealander’s below.
Creating jobs for local youth
Whittaker’s has joined forces with Mana College in Porirua, to provide students with work experience and job opportunities. Annually, the college selects a small group of students in their final year, who we ‘interview’ before bringing them onboard to work in our factory during the school holidays. During this time, the Whittaker’s team teaches the students about the workforce, health and safety, food technology and different roles within the business. Following completion of the programme, students interested in continuing to work for Whittaker's may be offered employment. In addition, we also support the Porirua Youth Awards every year, which recognises and offers financial assistance to young people who excel across a number of disciplines.
Cyclone Gabrielle relief and support
Following the devastating impact of Cyclone Gabrielle in Aotearoa, Whittaker’s has donated chocolate across the North Island, bringing a little moment of sweetness to those doing it tough.
When frontline organisations in the Hawke’s Bay put out a call for donations of bulk non-perishable food and other essential items immediately after the cyclone, we knew we wanted to help. The Whittaker’s team rallied local businesses in Porirua and Wellington, for donations and arranged a shipment of essential items to the Hawke’s Bay. We were humbled by the generosity of the business community in our local areas, and secured an incredible number of donations.
ChoctoberFest
Porirua is the place to be in October for Whittaker’s Chocolate Lovers. In 2023, we were proud supporters of the Porirua ChoctoberFest, which saw 22 local cafés and bars serving up delicious chocolate drinks and baked treats, all using our chocolate – in a bid to be crowned the ‘Bake Off Champion’ or ‘Top of the Chocs’ winner. The event initiated by the Porirua City Council helps encourage local tourism in Porirua.
2023 ChoctoberFest Winners:
Whittaker’s Bake Off
Winner: The Regal Shortbread Co. Chocolate Meringue Pie
Second Place: Local Authority. The new scone on the block.
Third Place: Urban Bake House. The Ultimate Cruffin.
Top of the Chocs
Winner: The Karaage Kid. Aunty Doris’s Thickshake.
Second Place: The Cake Café Plimmerton. Welly’s Orange Chocolate.
Third Place: Peppermill Café. Raspberry Chocolate Brownie Shake.
Brightening our community
We have been fortunate to be involved in supporting the Cannon Creek mural project, an initiative developed to help brighten up the streets of Cannon Creek in Porirua and make the community feel safer, by replacing walls of graffiti with beautiful Pacific-themed murals. This also proved a great opportunity for local families and individuals to showcase their talent through art.
Ed Sheeran even got on board!
In early 2023, British pop star, Ed Sheeran spent time in Wellington during his New Zealand tour. During his first Wellington show, he announced to the crowd “New Zealand chocolate is actually alright” – a change of heart from 2015, when he said we needed to make better chocolate. What better way to celebrate Ed becoming a New Zealand Chocolate Lover, than by crafting him the perfect treat - a Special Ed-ition Ed Block – which we personally delivered to him.
In a special twist, we teamed up with Ed to ‘Sheer-an’ the love and put this Special Ed-ition Block to work, in a bid to raise funds for Auckland’s Flood Response via Auckland City Mission. Through both an auction and Give-a-little page, we raised over $15,000 for this cause and were thrilled, thanks to the support of Ed, to contribute to the Mission’s relief fund.
In addition to these initiatives, Whittaker's also supports charities, environmental initiatives, schools and organisations across Aotearoa. You can find out more about some of the work we have been doing in the community, here.