‘Ubuntu’ – I am because you are
This ancient Zulu word speaks to the interconnection of people with each other, with the land, flora and fauna.
This philosophy sums up SouthNZ Honey’s approach to everything we do.
We care for our land: investing in restoration projects not because it makes sense on this year’s balance sheet but it is the right thing to do for the future of the land we are privileged to look after.
We care for people: long-term relationships are important to us. With our staff and customers many of our industry relationships extending back decades .
We are passionate about our craft: happy, well fed and healthy colonies of bees produce the best honey. Our disease free bees produce excellent honey crops and live full lives.
Yes, this approach takes more effort and constant commitment to be better every day. We believe the results are worth it.
Restored land, well-pollinated crops, connected communities, and ultimately, making the most delicious honey possible. This is the story of SouthNZ Honey.
Our Story
Two brothers, Hector and Alistair founded SouthNZ Honey. The brothers grew up in South Africa, the sons of a beekeeper, they have quite literally had their ‘heads in the hives’ their entire lives. Their father instilled in them the importance of caring for the bees and the land from a young age.
Upon relocating to New Zealand and setting up their apiaries in the beautiful Golden Bay region, this same approach of care for the land and care for their bees have seen the brothers and their beekeeper teams gain industry recognition as Master Beekeepers - experts in their craft.
Moutere Beekeeping
Moutere Beekeeping was established in 2007 by Hector Urquhart. He started with 500 hives with money borrowed from a very trusting sister and brother in law. The business has flourished into more than 1600 hives run by Hector and his efficient and dedicated team.
Moutere Beekeeping has invested in land in Upper Takaka, Golden Bay planting 70 000 manuka seedlings to restore a battered old forestry block into a haven for indigenous flora and fauna, and a great place to keep bees.
Hector has built a strong reputation for quality based on excellent hive husbandry management and commitment exceeding customer expectations. As a result, the bees thrive and deliver excellent pollination results and consistently make high-quality, great-tasting honey.
CONTACT MOUTERE BEEKEEPING:
Hector Urquhart: 027 367 0074
Sales@southnzhoney.nz
Orinoco Beekeeping
In 2017 following older brother Hector’s footsteps, Alistair and family swapped the coast of South Africa for the top of New Zealand’s South Island. Alistair founded Orinoco Beekeeping and quickly established an 800 hive thriving family-run business with a talented team of dedicated beekeepers.
Reliability is key to Orinoco’s success. Supplying top quality hives that deliver outstanding pollination results serving local apple and kiwifruit growers in the Tasman Region.
Alistair’s horticultural background and belief in restoring land to a natural state resulted in an early investment in old forestry land in Golden Bay, bordering the Kahurangi National Park. Over 120,000 manuka seedlings have been planted since 2017, complementing the natural flora. Restoring land and making the best honey, we think it is a pretty sweet story!