Celebrating World Honey Bee Day: Honoring the Buzzing Heroes

World Honey Bee Day, previously called Honey Bee Awareness Day, was established in 2009 following the dedicated efforts of American beekeepers who petitioned the USDA. Celebrated on the third Saturday in August, this observance has grown into a global phenomenon, uniting beekeepers, bee associations, and communities worldwide in recognizing the invaluable contributions of honey bees.

The significance of World Honey Bee Day goes beyond mere celebration; it serves as a pivotal platform for fostering awareness and education about the critical role of bees in our ecosystem. By bringing together beekeepers, associations, and interested groups, we can collectively advance beekeeping practices and promote sustainable bee-friendly environments. 

A Journey from Hive to Jar: Unveiling the World of Mānuka Honey

Introducing Rhys Casley, Apiculture General Manager at Mānuka Health, as he invites you to explore the fascinating journey of our Mānuka honey—from hive to jar.

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Our story starts with a team of more than 80 skilled individuals committed to managing 21,000 hives across New Zealand, establishing us as the largest operation in the country.

Guided by a blend of instinct and science, our team explores the expansive landscapes of New Zealand in search of sites rich in manuka trees and teeming with life—an ideal haven for our bees. Spanning 160,000 hectares of pristine terrain, these remote corners provide the perfect conditions for our bees to thrive and meticulously craft honey, propolis, and royal jelly.

As stewards of these remarkable creatures, our duty extends to enhancing their efforts, ensuring productive, content, and thriving hives year-round. Our annual cycle involves strategically positioning hives to capitalize on natural nectar and pollen sources in spring, allowing our bees to roam freely during the abundant summer months.

With the arrival of autumn, our focus shifts to disease monitoring, hive relocation, and securing their well-being through the winter—a process supported by advanced tracking technology to maintain hive strength and health. 

At Mānuka Health, we lead the charge in queen bee genetics research, developing disease-resistant hives to safeguard the health of New Zealand honey bees for generations to come.

Sustaining Our Environment

Our commitment to sustainability is uncompromising: no antibiotics, pesticides, or hormones are ever used in our beekeeping practices. We prioritize the well-being of our bees by ensuring they have ample honey reserves, harvesting only the surplus they don't require.

From Hive to Jar

After careful extraction from the hive, our honey undergoes a meticulous process at our state-of-the-art facility in Te Awamutu. Here, it matures, undergoes slow churning, and is creamed at low temperatures—a unique recipe that can take up to two years to perfect.

This painstaking process ensures a consistently superior taste and texture while preserving the honey's natural goodness, resulting in a Mānuka honey unlike any other. Quality and purity are paramount at every stage; each batch undergoes a rigorous three-stage quality assurance process to ensure that every jar of Mānuka honey we produce meets our exacting standards.

Our unwavering commitment to delivering the purest and most delicious Mānuka honey reflects the passion and dedication that defines every step of our journey. 

Thank you for joining us as we celebrate the remarkable world of Mānuka honey and the honey bees that make it all possible.