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The number of students doing an iwi-backed apiarists course in Kaitaia has almost tripled on last year as the region wakes up to the earning potential of manuka honey.
Abraham Witana, the chair of Te Rarawa Anga Mua, says 22 people signed up for the Lincoln University certificate taught at Te Runanga o Te Rarawa’s School of Honey Gatherers.
He says it meets the iwi’s aims of training its people and developing its economic base, which includes large areas of manuka-covered land.
Many of last year’s 8 students have bought their own hives, with some able to put them on family land.
Another former student has set up an extraction plant in Kaitaia.
Tutor Paula Stapleton says the market value of manuka honey, the prospect of a steady income, and the vast amount of land available in Northland make apiculture an attractive option.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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