Rural areas that may have once been considered secondary - regenerating scrub blocks, steeper country, or land that has never quite fit within a traditional farming system - are now being recognised for their role in supporting mānuka honey production.

Research mapping nectar and pollen resources across New Zealand has shown that indigenous forests and native vegetation provide some of the richest food sources for bees, particularly during key seasonal periods.

When most people think about pollination, they often picture fruit orchards or horticultural crops. But one of the most important places pollination quietly supports New Zealand agriculture is much closer to the ground - in our pasture systems.

Globally, it is estimated that around one-third of the food we consume depends on animal pollination in some form, while here at home, many of our most valuable crops rely on pollinators to maintain yield and quality.

At the recent Manuka Orchard Open Day, Shane Max, Zespri’s Head of Global Extension, shared a forward-looking update on the role bees play in New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry, and the importance of strong beekeeper–grower partnerships as the sector continues to expand.

Technology company GPSit representative Khan Greig presented at the Manuka Orchard Open Day, sharing how technology can take the guesswork out of hive placement in orchards - and thereby boosting pollination results and improving communication between growers and beekeepers.