There’s an ever-growing demand for high UMF mānuka honey (10+), because of its antibacterial properties. Honey exports have grown by 23 percent per year on average over the past decade with most of that growth coming from mānuka honey. But, due to the variables in producing mānuka honey, it’s difficult to find a consistent source of it.

By joining the Mānuka Research Partnership we’re working alongside Arborex Industries Limited, Comvita NZ Limited, DC and CY Tweeddale Partnership, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Nukuhau Carbon Limited, Landcorp Farming Limited, to explore potential solutions that will also achieve greater returns for land owners.

The High Performance Mānuka Plantations Programme is establishing mānuka plantations using seeds sourced from areas producing high-quality honey. By moving the mānuka industry away from wild harvest into science-based farming, we’ll be able to increase yields and produce a reliable supply of medical grade mānuka honey.

Since April 2016, we’ve worked alongside the owners of Hauhungaroa 7 – whenua west of Lake Taupō – to pilot the High Performance Mānuka Plantations Programme. This aims to see previously underutilised Māori land providing healthy returns and capability building opportunities for owners. Like any horticultural venture, this pilot has its risks, but the potential result, if the pilot is successful, means this innovative research is worth pursuing.

Finding the right use for any whenua is vital. To assess the suitability of a block for a mānuka plantation, we’ve looked at a number of factors. This included aspect, slope, soil type and erosion, the presence of pests and weeds, climate, exposure to the elements and other land uses in the area.

We’ve worked with the trustees and owners to assess their needs and find out what’s important to them. With the pilot project Hauhungaroa 7, the advisory trustees and owners have been given a full understanding of the project, including the risks, and the trust is supportive of establishing the plantation. They’ve made links between their aspirations for the land and the benefits the project offers. We’re supporting the trust by funding the development to help manage risk, model governance, and build capability so land owners receive the maximum benefit.

The concept of mānuka cultivars is a relatively new one. Through a partnership approach we’re able to explore programmes that support environmental aspirations and that have the potential to give the owners of unproductive or marginal land a viable development option for their whenua. Developing a high performing mānuka plantation on previously underutilised land has the potential to make a huge difference to Māori land owners.