NZ Honey

Guiding Kaupapa

Aotearoa’s Monofloral
Honeys Research Project.

Creating value through
Science research project.

2022-2024

What is
Aotearoa’s Monofloral
Honeys –Creating
Value through Science

Honey and honey related products form an important part of economic activity in New Zealand, earning more than $400M/y in export earnings. Much of this is derived from mānuka honey, valued by consumers due to its unique bioactive properties which have been the subject of numerous studies. However, there is also a range of
other native honeys that are produced in NZ, but these do not currently attract the premium price position of mānuka honey, since relatively little is known about their composition, variation and potential bioactive properties. In this proposal we address the problem concerning the lack of scientifically valid factors that differentiate some of our important native honeys. Our focus is on four prominent native monofloral honeys in the Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa (TPT) trusts Department of Conservation concessions areas, namely kānuka, rata, rewarewa and kāmahi. The project is structured into themes in three complimentary objectives.

In the first objective, researchers will actively participate in a series of hui and wānanga/workshops alongside the industry participants and associated stakeholders. Through this process we will review Mātauranga Māori of the native honeys, design studies (based on amounts of different honey samples available) organise sample collection and enhance

under standing about the industry a spirations and knowledge, future research possibilities, and strengthen the team’s ability to co-design relevant outcomes. The research will also assist tāngata whenua to reconnect with and harvest resources from ancestral lands using kaitiakitanga principles,through sustainable beekeeping and related activities that enhance kaitiakitanga of those lands, e.g., protecting enhancing the land through potential reinvestment cycles.

In the second focus, we will determine consumer preferences and perceptions of honey consistency and flavours separately and in combination with common carriers.

 

The research will examine the perceptions of international consumers(including several internationally focused) to Māori values and provenance with respect to flavour and health potential, including an analysis of their demographic,psychographic and personal values. Ultimately this will lead to the honey industry knowing the relative benefits of focussing investment and communication strategies. These will target provenance, sustainability and health, and the extent that unique flavours exist, are consistent, and valued by consumers. The outcome
will improve the business sustainability for NZ’s native honeys beyond mānuka by establishing distinct consumer-value propositions supported by robust science.

These studies will contribute information that informs the apiculture industry on the relative benefits of focussing investment and communication strategies on provenance, sustainability and health, and the extent that unique flavours exist, are consistent, and valued by consumers, with the overall goal of positively impacting the NZ economy. The project brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts and scientists and will employ a collaborative bicultural approach, bringing expertise together from Te Arawa and other iwi/hapu entities, Plant & Food Research, AgResearch, Massey University and Apiculture NZ (key industry partner).
Finally, we will use our analytical chemistry capability to analyse representative honeys from across the different geographical region of the TPT rohe to look for specific chemical signatures and potential unique biomarkers. Quality assurance is another important aspect of this project since quantification of floral markers of the four monofloral honeys of interest will contribute to the knowledge base of understanding with respect to regional and seasonal variability. This will also offer potential indicators of provenance that may have implications for the research around consumer honey preferences. Furthermore the project will undertake an assessment of biological activity potential and suitability in terms of stability, using published literature data. By plugging these knowledge gaps, informed and science-led marketing decisions can be made to maximise the value from NZ native honeys.

Research
Partners

The Aotearoa’s Monofloral Honeys – Creating Value through Science research project team (AMH) aims to incorporate the following principles/kaupapa into our research. These principles are based on eight pou that are interlinked by multiple connections and relationships.
Tikanga protocols