AuntyTommy's

Marlon Rivers, the visionary founder of Aunty Tommy's, has transformed his family's rich Samoan legacy into a celebration of Pacific excellence from his Auckland base. His premium brand draws its inspiration from the vibrant village of Vaiala on the island of Upolu in Samoa. The brand proudly bears the name of Saui'a, Flora Constance Burr, affectionately known throughout Samoa as "Aunty Tommy"—one of the revered matriarchs of the Macdonald family from Vaiala and Marlon's beloved grandmother. Her passionate advocacy for Samoan culture, cuisine, and community values continues to inspire the company's mission. Operating from their dedicated roastery in Glen Eden, Aunty Tommy's crafts all their "choice kokos" with meticulous care and cultural authenticity. This isn't just a business for Marlon—it's a genuine expression of heritage. "Our Koko is not just Pacific, we are too!" he often reminds customers, emphasising the deep understanding of Pacific culture that comes from sharing origins with their ingredients. As a Pacific family business, Aunty Tommy's recognises the central role food plays in their culture. For Marlon, creating premium Koko Samoa goes beyond physical nourishment—it's about honouring the social and familial bonds that sharing means to Pacific peoples. This traditional, healthy, sugar-free drink crafted purely from roasted and ground cacao beans represents Samoa's national beverage and a staple in households wherever Samoans gather worldwide. Driven by a commitment to excellence rather than diversity of offerings, Marlon has focused on perfecting their signature product. "We don't dabble in lots of different things just to fill a catalogue. We like to master one thing then be really good at that!" This focused approach ensures an exceptional experience with every sip. As dedicated roasters, Aunty Tommy's sources premium ingredients exclusively from Pacific farms across Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. This direct connection to Pacific agriculture strengthens both product quality and community ties—something Marlon takes immense pride in. Beyond business success, Marlon embraces his role as a cultural ambassador and role model. He firmly believes in the transformative power of representation, ensuring that Aunty Tommy's serves as an exemplar of Pacific achievement in enterprise. His work inspires current and future generations of Pacific Islanders to pursue their own paths to commercial success with courage and cultural pride. Through Aunty Tommy's Marlon doesn't merely offer exceptional products; he cultivates a living legacy that honours tradition while boldly embracing the future, proving that cultural heritage and commercial excellence can thrive together at home and internationally.