Chocolate Queens & Kings For I AM HOPE/Gumboot Friday

The pain of being made redundant from a place you loved, especially when it felt like a family and a true community, would be profound. The Cadbury Chocolate Factory wasn’t just a job—it was home. When that sense of belonging was taken away, it wasn’t just the role you lost; it was your connection to something meaningful. Then, stepping into new jobs only to face bullying, discrimination, and gaslighting would deepen that sense of betrayal. On top of that, seeing the toll it took on your fellow Chocolate Factory staffers—watching them struggle with mental illness and, tragically, even losing some to suicide—would be devastating.

What’s even worse is the glaring lack of understanding and support for mental illness in New Zealand. The class divide, the stigmas, and the indifference toward those facing real struggles were evident in the way former Cadbury workers were treated. It wasn’t just the personal pain; it was the collective hurt. The disrespect and neglect that former staffers faced, and the lack of care for their mental health, was sickening. The hurt our fellow Chocolate Queens and Kings endured is something that no one should ever have to go through.

And that's exactly why the Chocolate Queens and Kings, a group of passionate and resilient former Cadbury employees, decided to take action. Project Hope & Beyond was born and over 5 years our Chocolate Queens and Kings have fundraised over $90,203. Thank you to those who take action and stand up to support those struggling