The country’s largest beekeeping enterprise Aratiki Honey has moved 18,000 hives into two of New Zealand’s major growing regions, the Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay.

Popularity and demand for the Mānuka honey variety has exceeded all expectations, Rhys Flack of Aratiki Honey says.

Mānuka honey is recognised as having specific health benefits and has been proven to assist with wound healing in people suffering from venous leg ulcers.

“We are hoping for a strong Mānuka flowering season, with weather conditions just right for good production. All the preparation work is done but we are also very reliant on nature to help the bees along,” Rhys says.

Worker bees will soon be collecting pollen stocks from gardens to feed their broods and build up their hives.