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A special partnership between the Bay of Plenty and Tonga was marked yesterday with the opening of the new Heilala Vanilla factory at Te Puna, attended by dignitaries from the island kingdom.

Heilala's high quality vanilla is grown on the islands of Vava'u and processed and marketed from Newnham Innovation Park at Te Puna.

Officially open – Lord Fulivai Governor of Vava'u, Tonga's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Sangster Saulala, Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson and Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall cut the ribbon to open the new Heilala Vanilla premises at Newnham Innovation Park yesterday.

The company began working out of an old onion shed and later a kiwifruit packhouse but now has a state-of-the-art, purpose-built complex.

With its harvest increasing year on year, it is now able to develop a full range of gourmet vanilla products for the retail, food service and food manufacturing sectors, which are exported to more than seven countries, says Heilala Vanilla director and co-founder Jennifer Boggiss.

Lord Fulivai told guests the relationship between Vava'u and the Bay of Plenty is a very special one. It was about more than economic development. The relationships and passion those involved in the venture, both on the islands and in New Zealand, is important too.

'Heilala Vanilla are also going to produce virgin coconut oil and I have now declared the whole region [of Vava'u] organic for the health of our people and our children.”

Rain drove the 160 guests inside under a large marquee but the weather cleared long enough for the official ribbon cutting and then guests were invited to tour premises of the eight companies based at the site.

These included Locus Research, a new tenant at the park developed by Steve Saunders and Rob Jeffery in 2010.

Plus Group, vanilla producer Heilala Vanilla, marketer Southern Produce and Kiwifruitz, were the first occupants of the site.

The second stage has seen product development and innovation consultancy Locus Research move in, and has allowed Heilala Vanilla to expand its premises.

Steve Saunders says the park expansion will create a real difference in the region.

'We are committed to developing an innovation-driven hub,” says Steve.

'It is hugely satisfying to get the buildings completed and see Heilala and Locus Research moving ahead. The expansion is also exciting for Plus Group Horticulture and the continued growth of our team.”

Heilala Vanilla's growth has brought the company many accolades, the most recent being last year's prizes in the Deloitte Fast 50 Central Region, as fastest-growing exporter and fastest-growing manufacturer.

The team at Locus Research is 'relishing the purpose-built space”, says director Timothy Allan.

The company is working on several projects, including a hydraulic boat loader, medical devices and wool fibre filtration. Moving into the park is a 'game changer”, says Timothy.

'Being so close to businesses that we work with will create the kind of environment in which creativity will thrive.

'We had 30-odd teachers here for the Young Innovators Launch and still had project work continuing on at the same time”.