A Hidden Gem: The Habitat of Mānuka Honey

Nestled within the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand, lies a botanical treasure unlike any other in the world: Mānuka honey. 

This remarkable substance, revered across the globe for its unique properties and rich flavour, is now intrinsically linked to the environment in which it originates from. The story of Mānuka honey is a testament to the connectedness of native flora, the hard work of its bees and the dedication of the PURITI beekeepers that harvest this liquid gold. 

For PURITI, the pursuit of exceptional, quality Mānuka honey begins and ends with a deep respect for the pristine habitat where this honey comes from - leading us to venture into some of the most remote and untouched corners of New Zealand to bring you a product that embodies the purity of our landscapes. 

This is the story of the environment that’s responsible for Mānuka honey, and how PURITI cultivates this habitat to bring you the finest honey products. 

The Origin of Mānuka Honey

The very foundation of authentic Mānuka honey lies with the ‘Leptospermum scoparium’, commonly known today as the Mānuka tree. 

This hardy and versatile shrub is an indigenous species to New Zealand. Characterised by its small, often prickly leaves and delicate white or pink flowers that bloom for only a short period of time each year, the Mānuka tree thrives in a diverse range of environments across the country. 

From the windswept coastal cliffs and dense native forests, to the rugged hill country and even some drier inland regions, the Mānuka tree’s adaptability has allowed it to colonise a significant portion of the landscape. Its resilience is notable, often being one of the first plants to regenerate in disturbed areas. 

The arrival of honey bees in New Zealand began in the 19th century, it marked a turning point in the story of Mānuka honey. 

Prior to their introduction by European settlers, New Zealand lacked a native honeybee species. The European honeybee - named ‘Apis mellifera’ -  was introduced in 1839 by Methodist missionary, Mary Brumby. It is documented that Brumby brought two hives to the country when she landed in Hokianga, these hives contained the first bees that were capable of pollinating flowers and producing a type of honey.

As it turned out, these European bees found a favourable environment within the diverse islands of New Zealand and quickly established its population - becoming integral to the pollination of numerous plant species, including the native Mānuka tree.

Pretty soon, beekeepers became a more common sight as the New Zealand bush proved to be a fruitful environment for these bees. Particularly in the Bay of Islands, it was noted the Māori population would sell honey and, in fact, they became the first commercial beekeepers in New Zealand. Apiarists flourished at the turn of the previous century - there were approximately 100,000 hives in New Zealand by 1929.

As these hard-working bees foraged across their landscape, they inevitably came across the blossoms of the Mānuka tree, rich in nectar during its flowering season. This nectar, with its distinct profile, was diligently collected by the bees and resulted in a honey with unique properties. 

This honey would soon become the globally recognised product we know today as Mānuka honey.

The Habitat of Mānuka Trees

The distribution of Mānuka trees across New Zealand is widespread, but not necessarily consistent. 

Pockets of Mānuka trees can be found throughout both the North and South Islands, the most significant and commercially viable concentrations have often occurred in specific regions. In the North Island, areas such as East Cape,Northland and the volcanic central plateau are renowned for their extensive collection of Mānuka trees. 

These regions often feature rugged terrain and limited accessibility, which contributes to the pristine nature of their environment. Similarly, in the South Island, certain coastal areas and parts of Nelson and the Marlborough regions support significant Mānuka tree populations. 

The specific terrain of each location, influenced by factors like soil composition, rainfall and altitude, can subtly influence the characteristics of the Mānuka tree’s nectar and, as a result, the honey that’s produced. 

For example, in volcanic regions, the soil is often rich in metals - which is known  to be absorbed by the Mānuka treeand subtly alter the nectar’s biochemical makeup. In a similar way, areas with sandstone or clay-base soils might yield a nectar with a different profile, influencing the sweetness of the Mānuka honey produced. 

The rainfall patterns of a specific location will also play a crucial role. Regions with higher rainfall might produce a Mānuka nectar that’s slightly more diluted, potentially affecting the honey’s viscosity, rather than a drier climate that may result in a more concentrated nectar - leading to a richer and more intense quality Mānuka honey. 

PURITI’s approach to sourcing Mānuka honey will take these subtle nuances of terrain into careful consideration. We understand that the unique character of our New Zealand honey is a direct reflection of the pristine environments where the Mānuka tree flourishes. 

Accessing The PURITI Hives

The quest for the highest quality Mānuka honey requires the PURITI team to venture into these remote, and oftentimes challenging environments. 

We know that the purity and properties of Mānuka honey are directly linked to the untouched nature of its source. To access the dense locations of the Mānuka tree, conventional methods like cars are quickly made redundant. 

Instead, our highly trained beekeepers will often use helicopters to access the hives placed in these remote terrains. It’s quickly become an essential part of the harvesting process. 

These aerial journeys allow the team to reach apiary sites that would be otherwise considered impossible to access, which ensures that our hives are far from things that would potentially contaminate the honey - including human interference. 

But the careful placement of our hives isn’t just about the accessibility. It’s also a conscious decision to minimise our environmental footprint and allow the bees to forage in an environment that’s dominated by the Mānuka tree. 

Operating in these isolated areas means we reduce the risk of the bees collecting nectar from other flower sources, ensuring a high Mānuka pollen count and the characteristics of monofloral Mānuka honey. 

Furthermore, our harvesting practices are also designed to be as natural and sustainable as possible. We prioritise the wellbeing of our bee colonies and the long-term health of the Mānuka forests, ensuring that our operations contribute to the preservation of these precious ecosystems. 

If you’d like to learn more about our sustainable practices, you can do so here. 

Quality Mānuka Honey with PURITI

The exceptional quality and unique properties of PURITI Mānuka honey are strongly linked to the environments in which it’s produced. 

From the native Mānuka tree, a botanical marvel of New Zealand, to the industrious work of the honey bee and the world-class harvest practices of our beekeepers, our story of remarkable honey is one of harmony between our team and nature. 

We’re deeply committed to sourcing from remote and untouched locations, often meaning we have to go above and beyond in our methods - like using unconventional transport to access our hives. It’s not the most convenient or efficient way of doing things, but it results in a honey product that’s unrivalled in the New Zealand market. 

PURITI Mānuka honey is more than just a sweetener, it’s a taste of New Zealand’s wild and native heart. To learn more about PURITI’s range of premium, 100% authentic Mānuka honey, explore our website and shop here.