29 Oct 2008

Manuka honey joint venture planned

12:51 pm on 29 October 2008

A Manuka honey venture is being planned for the Far North.

Under a joint venture, the honey producer, Watson & Son, and Te Runanga O Te Rarawa are to set up a training college which hopes to produce 200 bee-keepers in five years.

Watson & Son is providing $500,000 in seed funding.

Graduates will be bonded to Watson & Son for a set period as employees.

The venture also plans to set up a centre to research and develop manuka honey's antibacterial qualities.

Te Runanga o Te Rarawa says manuka honey produced in Northland has high levels of bioactive compounds. The region has large areas of manuka scrub.