About us.
We are family – (literally and figuratively). The hive is buzzing with individuals driving the company forward through NZ Honey Groups expertise and willingness to put the customer first (whether that is a land owner, contract pack partner, supplier or our network of brand distributors and retailers.
Transparency, professionalism, and family – these are the core values that drive us at NZ Honey Group. We believe that honesty and openness are key to building strong relationships with our customers, which is why transparency is one of our most important values. At the same time, we’re committed to maintaining the highest professional standards in everything we do. Whether it’s beekeeping, manufacturing, marketing, or finance, we take pride in our
Transparency, professionalism, and family – these are the core values that drive us at NZ Honey Group. We believe that honesty and openness are key to building strong relationships with our customers, which is why transparency is one of our most important values. At the same time, we’re committed to maintaining the highest professional standards in everything we do. Whether it’s beekeeping, manufacturing, marketing, or finance, we take pride in our
work and strive for excellence in every phase of our business.
Finally, we believe in acting and thinking like family. That means treating each other with respect and kindness, working together toward a common goal, and fostering a sense of community that extends beyond our company walls. We believe that when we work together as a family, we can achieve great things – and that’s exactly what we aim to do every day.
So if you’re looking for a company that values transparency, professionalism, and family, look no further than NZ Honey Group. We’re committed to bringing you the very best of New Zealand honey, and we do it all with these core values at the forefront of everything we do.
Finally, we believe in acting and thinking like family. That means treating each other with respect and kindness, working together toward a common goal, and fostering a sense of community that extends beyond our company walls. We believe that when we work together as a family, we can achieve great things – and that’s exactly what we aim to do every day.
So if you’re looking for a company that values transparency, professionalism, and family, look no further than NZ Honey Group. We’re committed to bringing you the very best of New Zealand honey, and we do it all with these core values at the forefront of everything we do.
Together we are the
NZ Honey Group
MEET THE TEAM
Alesha Parkes
Logistics & Admin
Narissa Taylor
Marketing Manager
Jessie Sutton
Team Leader - Beekeeping
Claudia
Accounts & Admin
Jules Janson
Team Leader - Beekeeping
Lars Janson
Director & CEO
Grant Murfitt
Team Leader - Beekeeping
Hamish Janson
Bulk Honey Director
Maddy Curtis
Production & Quality Manager
Ethan Waters
Factory Manager
Ross Baldwin
Extraction Manager
Kerryn Thompson
Production Assistant
Tian Burger
Extraction Assistant
Joselle Maxwell
HR Manager
Leo Cabuntagon
Beekeeper
Soben Suello
Beekeeper
Ronald Avergonzado
Beekeeper
Sam Wilkinson
Team Mechanic
Richard Barley
Director
Ruth Chen
Accountant
Darick Khoong
Production Manager
Remel Salintao
Beekeeper
Mark Harvey
Finance Director
Brandon Tan
Bulk Honey Manager
Our past.
1959
BEEKEEPING COMMENCED
Leon Janson purchased his first hives.
2008
EXPORT MARKETS
Export Markets & Contract Packing. Established when the Harvey family expanded sales into 16+ export markets and our original Auckland factory focused on OEM and contract packing.
2017
7 entities merged
Merging of 6 beekeeping companies into Melita beekeeping and acquisition of land.
2022
NEW FACTORY
Relocated factory to Hawkes Bay alongside beekeeping. Increased to 2 lines and increased capacity. Gained SQF accreditation.
1975
HAPPY VALLEY STARTED
Ben Rawnsley developed apitherapy products and invited the public to fill jars of honey from their farm.
2011
MELITA FORMED
Janson & Barley created the Manuka Honey brand Melita and focused on beekeeping and sales into China.
2019
ORGANIC GROWTH
Scaled hive growth to 10.000 hives and landed Supermarket, listings across ANZ. #1 Brand in NZ Grocery.
Our past.
1959
BEEKEEPING COMMENCED
Leon Janson purchased his first hives.
Leon Janson purchased his first hives.
1975
HAPPY VALLEY STARTED
Ben Rawnsley developed apitherapy products and invited the public to fill jars of honey from their farm.
Ben Rawnsley developed apitherapy products and invited the public to fill jars of honey from their farm.
2008
EXPORT MARKETS
Export Markets & Contract Packing. Established when the Harvey family expanded sales into 16+ export markets and our original Auckland factory focused on OEM and contract packing.
Export Markets & Contract Packing. Established when the Harvey family expanded sales into 16+ export markets and our original Auckland factory focused on OEM and contract packing.
2011
MELITA FORMED
Janson & Barley created the Manuka Honey brand Melita and focused on beekeeping and sales into China.
Janson & Barley created the Manuka Honey brand Melita and focused on beekeeping and sales into China.
2017
7 entities merged
Merging of 6 beekeeping companies into Melita beekeeping and acquisition of land.
Merging of 6 beekeeping companies into Melita beekeeping and acquisition of land.
2019
ORGANIC GROWTH
Scaled hive growth to 10.000 hives and landed Supermarket, listings across ANZ. #1 Brand in NZ Grocery.
Scaled hive growth to 10.000 hives and landed Supermarket, listings across ANZ. #1 Brand in NZ Grocery.
2022
NEW FACTORY
Relocated factory to Hawkes Bay alongside beekeeping. Increased to 2 lines and increased capacity. Gained SQF accreditation
Relocated factory to Hawkes Bay alongside beekeeping. Increased to 2 lines and increased capacity. Gained SQF accreditation
When it comes to quality honey, experience matters – and at NZ Honey Group, we’ve got 60 years of it. Our family-owned company spans three generations, with a rich tradition of beekeeping that began in 1969 when Leon Janson purchased his first hives and started down the path to becoming one of New Zealand’s most respected beekeepers.
Along the way, we’ve rolled six different companies into one, bringing together the best and brightest in the industry to form a high-functioning hive that is focused on delivering the very best of New Zealand honey to the world. Our team of professionals includes experts in beekeeping, manufacturing, marketing, and finance, all with a shared vision of being the leading full-service honey specialists in the industry.
Along the way, we’ve rolled six different companies into one, bringing together the best and brightest in the industry to form a high-functioning hive that is focused on delivering the very best of New Zealand honey to the world. Our team of professionals includes experts in beekeeping, manufacturing, marketing, and finance, all with a shared vision of being the leading full-service honey specialists in the industry.
Our story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning two of our founding brands, Melita and Happy Valley. Melita is renowned for their beekeeping and marketing of Manuka honey, while Happy Valley got its start when Apiculture pioneer Ben Rawnsley began inviting locals to his backyard in Auckland to fill their jars with honey. Today, both brands are part of the NZ Honey Group family, and we’re proud to carry on the tradition of excellence that they started.
So whether you’re looking for the rich, earthy flavour of Manuka or prefer a milder honey, trust NZ Honey Group to bring you the very best. From our humble beginnings to our current position as industry leaders, we’re committed to delivering the highest quality products, honey, and brands to customers around the world.
So whether you’re looking for the rich, earthy flavour of Manuka or prefer a milder honey, trust NZ Honey Group to bring you the very best. From our humble beginnings to our current position as industry leaders, we’re committed to delivering the highest quality products, honey, and brands to customers around the world.
Our present.
At NZ Honey Group, we’re buzzing with excitement about our thriving beekeeping operations! With over 10,000 hives and more than 300 tonnes of honey production annually, we’re proud to be one of the leading honey manufacturers in New Zealand. Our beekeeping experts span the length of the North Island, working hard to bring you the highest quality honey available. Our recent focus has been on our state-of-the-art production facility in Hawkes Bay, which allows us to pack New Zealand Honey in scale, alongside our ample bulk honey stocks. By combining our contract packaging services with our own brand sales and marketing, we’re able to offer a comprehensive service that caters to all your honey needs.