Project Local: Ozone Coffee

When it comes to great coffee, Ozone Coffee has been our trusted partner for years. From their humble beginnings in New Plymouth to becoming a certified B-Corp that champions sustainability and community, Ozone shares our passion for doing things right—and for creating something extraordinary.

Every cup of coffee you enjoy in a Volare café is made with Ozone beans, and every barista on our team has visited their headquarters to learn the art and craft behind the brew. This commitment to quality, sustainability, and connection is why we’re thrilled to spotlight them in this Project Local feature.

And just in time for the holiday season, we’re bringing you an extra-special treat: Ozone’s Festive Blend is part of our Volare Christmas Gift Box. It’s the perfect present for coffee lovers, complete with other thoughtfully curated goodies to brighten up the holiday season. Available in all stores for a limited time!

But first, let’s take a closer look at Ozone Coffee’s inspiring story, their ethical practices, and what makes their coffee so unique. Keep reading to find out how they’ve been brewing up positive change—one cup at a time. ☕✨

How did Ozone Coffee get started, and what inspired the creation of the brand? 

Jamie and Karen Hodson, the original founders of Ozone, began their coffee-roasting journey in the small surf town of New Plymouth, New Zealand. Their inspiration struck during a visit to San Salvador while on a six-week trip through Central America, exploring coffee farms and meeting producers, they were caught in a tropical lightning storm one evening. Jamie was captivated by the scent of ozone in the air, and that night, he decided to venture into the coffee industry once he returned home to New Zealand. They founded the business on family values and were committed to growing meaningful relationships at coffee origins.

We’ve always gone the extra mile to bring new coffee experiences to our customers. The coffee world can sometimes feel complex, but we pride ourselves on making specialty coffee enjoyable for everyone. So, whether you’re a connoisseur or a newcomer, we’re here to share our knowledge and help you discover new coffees and classic favourites along the way.   

What values really matter to Ozone, and how do those show up in the way you make your coffee? 

From the first time we ever served coffee in 1998, sustainability has always been important to us. It started as a goal to create great coffee experiences with our community, and along the way, has also become an opportunity to champion and protect the people and places that make great coffee possible. We have had many discussions over the years about what it means to do things right and now we have the certification to prove it. In September of 2022 we were stoked to receive our B-Corp Certification - B Corps use business as a force for good.

Can you tell us a bit about the journey your coffee takes from bean to cup? What makes your process unique? 

We adhere to three main principles when sourcing our coffee. First, it's all about long-term relationships—our producing partners are not just suppliers, they are friends and key members of our global team. Second, we believe in going beyond fairness. The challenges facing the specialty coffee industry, and the world in general, cannot be solved by individuals or single companies alone, but through shared goals, collaboration, and dialogue. Finally, we are committed to the future. We’ve made long-term commitments to our producers at origin to ensure they can sustain their livelihoods and continue to provide the specialty coffee we know and love for years to come.

Sustainability is a big deal these days—how does Ozone make sure you're keeping things green? 

Alongside our B-Corp certification, we are committed to making the most sustainable choices possible. When buying our coffee in bulk, we offer a bucket of beans service for local Auckland customers – cutting down on our plastic use. In the coming months, we will be moving to fully commercially compostable bags for our 250g coffee, and all other sizes will be recyclable soft plastic.  

Our coffee roasting days, whether in New Plymouth or Auckland, we ensure to follow a full day roasting schedule. This means we are considering our power and gas usage. Additionally, our team around the country drive hybrid cars and we print our labels in house and only as needed, reducing wastage.  

We also reuse our coffee sacks in the distribution team as box fillers, and we repurpose packaging from deliveries to keep our coffee safe in transit. These are just a few of the ways we keep things green in the business, but we are always looking for new ways to improve our sustainability.  

How do you build strong relationships with the farmers you work with, and what does ethical sourcing mean to you? 

Long-term, sustainable relationships are at the core of everything we do. These partnerships allow us to positively impact not only our coffee but also the lives of our producers, our team, and our customers. We place great emphasis on regularly visiting our farmers, producers, and exporters at origin. Our Head Roaster, Paul, frequently travels alongside our Green Coffee Buyer, Roland, to connect with current producers and discover new ones. Both are deeply involved in exploring ways Ozone can support these farms. Over the years, we’ve funded new equipment, provided training, and implemented initiatives to improve their quality of life while fostering more sustainable farming practices. 

For us, ethical sourcing means ensuring that everyone across the supply chain is treated with respect, paid fair wages, and works in safe conditions, while also having the opportunity to improve their livelihoods. 

What do you think makes Ozone Coffee stand out from other coffee brands? What’s that 'something special' people should know about? 

With roots in both New Zealand and the UK, we place a strong emphasis on creating welcoming environments in our cafes – community and connection is so important to us. We are all about creating meaningful experiences for our customers and really embodying that role of Ultimate Coffee Host.

You’re pretty involved in the local community—how do you give back or support causes that align with your values? 

Our local community is important to us, and over the years, we have actively supported it in various ways. From partnering with fellow B-Corp businesses to donating to local charities and engaging in community-driven events, we prioritise initiatives that foster social good. Having been an established business in New Zealand for over 26 years, we’ve built strong relationships that encourage local businesses and residents to reach out for assistance. Being able to provide that support is profoundly rewarding for us. 

What’s next for Ozone Coffee? Any exciting projects or plans in the works? 

Right now, we're excited about the release of our Festive Blend – available in store and as part of the Volare Christmas Gift Box – which helps support Heart Kids NZ. And we are also very excited to be opening a third location in New Zealand later this year. Stay tuned for more!