A chance encounter at Fieldays has put Manawa Honey in the spotlight after Karioi ki Tahuaroa White was filmed presenting the company’s unique range of native bush honeys to Te Arikinui Kuini Ngawai Hono i te Pō and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka entirely in te reo Māori.
The moment showcased not only the quality of a proudly Māori-owned honey business, but also the growing confidence of a new generation of Māori entrepreneurs promoting indigenous products through te reo and mātauranga Māori.
For Karioi, the experience reflected the kaupapa behind Manawa Honey — connecting people to the whenua, the ngahere and the stories that sit behind every jar.
While mānuka honey remains one of New Zealand’s most internationally recognised products, Manawa Honey has built a reputation around a wider range of native bush honeys.
Drawing from the rich biodiversity of Aotearoa’s forests, the company produces honey sourced from a variety of indigenous flowering species, each offering its own distinctive flavour profile and characteristics.
The result is a collection of honeys that reflect the landscapes and ecosystems from which they come.
For Manawa Honey, every harvest tells a story about the environment, the season and the relationship between bees and native flora.
The company has attracted attention for celebrating lesser-known native honeys while promoting sustainable beekeeping practices and Māori values of kaitiakitanga.
Karioi’s involvement with Manawa Honey grew from a passion for te ao Māori, whenua and community development.
The business represents more than commercial success. It is also about creating opportunities for Māori, sharing indigenous knowledge and building stronger connections between people and the natural world.
That philosophy has helped Manawa Honey establish a unique identity in an increasingly competitive market.
By combining traditional values with modern entrepreneurship, the company has developed products that resonate with consumers looking for authenticity, sustainability and a deeper connection to place.
One of Manawa Honey’s most significant recent initiatives has been the development of a special Matariki pack in collaboration with Professor Rangi Mātāmua.
The pack celebrates the Māori New Year while also supporting an important kaupapa through fundraising for the Tuawhenua Trust.
The Trust works to strengthen connections to mātauranga Māori, environmental stewardship and cultural development, supporting initiatives that benefit communities and future generations.
By linking a commercial product to community outcomes, the partnership reflects the values of collective responsibility and reciprocity that underpin many Māori enterprises.
The Matariki pack provides consumers with an opportunity not only to enjoy premium native honey products but also to contribute directly to kaupapa that support cultural and environmental wellbeing.
The timing of the initiative aligns closely with the values of Matariki itself.
The Māori New Year is a period of reflection, gratitude and planning for the future. It is also a time when many people consider how they can contribute to their communities and support collective aspirations.
For Manawa Honey, the Matariki pack embodies those principles by connecting consumers to both the natural environment and a broader social purpose.
The collaboration with Professor Mātāmua has further strengthened the educational and cultural significance of the project.
The visibility generated by events such as Fieldays demonstrates the growing strength of Māori businesses operating across agriculture, food production and environmental sectors.
Companies like Manawa Honey are increasingly showing how commercial success can sit alongside cultural integrity, language revitalisation and community development.
For Karioi ki Tahuaroa White, standing before Te Arikinui and government leaders speaking confidently in te reo Māori was more than a business presentation.
It was a reflection of the future many Māori entrepreneurs are helping to build — one where culture, language, sustainability and enterprise work together.
As Matariki celebrations continue across Aotearoa, Manawa Honey’s story offers a reminder that some of the sweetest successes come from staying connected to whakapapa, whenua and community.
Those interested in purchasing a Matariki pack can find further information through Manawa Honey’s online platforms and promotional channels, with proceeds helping support the ongoing work of the Tuawhenua Trust.
