Most beekeepers think of the season as finished when the drums leave the yard. But mānuka honey doesn't work like that. It is one of the very few food products that keeps chemically changing after it's made, for years, at a rate set almost entirely by the conditions it's been kept.

They are saying that El Niño is back, and the forecasters (Earth Sciences New Zealand - the team formerly known as NIWA) officially declared El Niño conditions last month, as one to rival the five strongest events on record.

Mānuka Orchard's, Logan Bowyer, will be speaking at this year’s Fieldays Tent Talks on the topic: “The Future of Mānuka: Why the Best Years Are Ahead."

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.

This coming spring / early summer is shaping up to be largely favourable for honey production in the North Island, with warm temperatures, enough moisture, and (fingers crossed) a weak La Niña influence.

The Manuka Orchard Open Day once again proved to be more than just an industry catch-up, it was a place where ideas were shared, connections strengthened, and the passion for bees, honey, and agriculture shone through.

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.