Manuka Orchard Open Day 2025: A Day of Sunshine, Sharing, and Industry Insights.

It was another beautiful sunny Paengaroa day for Logan and Tania Bowyer and the Manuka Orchard team to host the annual Manuka Orchard Open Day at the Paengaroa Community Hall. Over 80 beekeepers, along with many others from across the beekeeping and honey-producing industry, came together for a day of learning, networking, and celebrating the honey sector.

Guests enjoyed coffee in the sun from Short & Sweet Sisterhood and, as always, lunch was an incredible smorgasbord of locally produced food, served buffet-style. The day wrapped up at Latitude bar, where many attendees headed afterwards for a well-earned beer and chat.

Logan reflecting on the importance of collaboration in the industry:

“Days like this only happen because of the support we get from our industry partners and our customers. It’s that trust and shared vision that keeps our sector moving forward together.”

Tania also shared her thanks, noting the effort it takes to bring such an event together:

“Pulling off a day like this takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work, and I’m so grateful to our whole team for pitching in wherever needed. It’s a real team effort, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Speaker Highlights

The day’s line-up featured a range of expert speakers, each offering insights that will help beekeepers and growers alike prepare for the seasons ahead:

• Varroa control trials – Oliver Smith from Beequip NZ shared the latest field results from various Varroa control methods, including portable vaporisers and continuous-evaporation systems. His talk highlighted the value of entrance swabbing and pooled testing for better-informed decision-making in hive health management. >> Read more here

  
  

• AFB detection and prevention – John Mackay from dnature diagnostics & research Ltd explained how hive swabbing can detect AFB spores before clinical signs appear, potentially saving thousands in lost honey and equipment.

  
  

• Kiwifruit pollination partnership – Shane Max from Zespri discussed the industry’s growth trajectory and how strong grower–beekeeper relationships are vital for consistent, high-quality pollination. >> Read more here

  
  

• Colony loss survey insights – Dr Pike Stahlmann-Brown from the Bioeconomy Science Institute presented takeaways from the 2024 NZ Colony Loss Survey, showing current trends in Varroa treatment and industry practices, and encouraged all beekeepers to participate in the 2025 survey launching 1 September. >> Read more here

  
  

• Government vision and export growth – Denis Collins from MPI’s On Farm Support team spoke about the government’s goals for the primary sector, the forecast for honey export growth, and how businesses like Manuka Orchard are helping drive the industry forward.

  
  

• Technology in pollination – Khan Greig from GPSit showcased Landkind’s Dynamic Orchard Map, a tool that allows growers and beekeepers to plan and confirm hive locations for maximum pollination efficiency. His session on smarter hive placement demonstrated how tech can make collaboration simpler and more effective. >> Read more here

  
  

Some of the Manuka Orchard Team

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.

Get in touch with our team to get yourself on the Manuka Orchard mailing list and early invites to the next Open Day, in July 2026!