| 5 T T Rosa Watson Healthy bees producing flavoursome honey Sam and Vanessa Pegg - a deep commitment to apiculture. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Grafter’s Honey A couple’s plan to bring pollinators back to their Lower Hutt neighbourhood has grown into a successful, sustainable honey business. Grafter’s Honey had its beginnings in 2012, when Sam and Vanessa Pegg noticed a decline in pollinator activity in their neighbourhood. At the time, Sam was hand-pollinating plants in the couple’s garden to ensure productivity. “This direct experience underscored the critical need for local pollinators,” he says. They introduced a beehive to the garden and the impact was remarkable. “Not only did our own garden flourish, but we also observed a significant and often commented-upon increase in yields from nearby gardens.” This inspired the couple to take things further. “From that singular, impactful beehive, our commitment to apiculture deepened, leading to a deliberate and measured expansion,” Sam says. Today, Grafter’s Honey is an environmentally focused, hands-on honey enterprise, primarily managed by Vanessa and Sam themselves, with an extensive bee colony across the region. The selection of these apiary sites is critical, Vanessa says. “We meticulously identify remote and pristine areas, characterised by abundant and diverse native flora. This careful site selection ensures minimal exposure to conventional agricultural practices or urban contaminants, allowing our bees to thrive naturally, and contribute to the unique flavour profiles of our regional honeys.” Sam says Grafter’s Honey has cultivated a loyal following by making the health of their bees and the purity of their product a priority. It is a chemical-free operation, using no synthetic pesticides or antibiotics within the hives – an approach that Vanessa says requires consistent vigilance and strict internal guidelines. “We employ organic-approved methods for hive management and disease prevention, and critically, we ensure that our bees are never over-harvested, always leaving sufficient honey reserves to sustain them.” The couple’s commitment also extends to native planting, which enhances foraging opportunities for bees and protects the ecosystem. Grafter’s Honey has a select range of raw, minimally processed honeys with the unique floral contributions of the regions, a bush blend, the richly flavoured Rewarewa Honey, and a selection of Manuka Honey. They also periodically offer raw honeycomb, subject to seasonal availability. The company’s primary sales channels are direct engagement with consumers, and it maintains a strong presence at local farmers’ markets, such as the Riverbank Market in Lower Hutt. Products are also available online through the company’s website, and through a network of local stockists, including specialty food stores and select supermarkets within the Wellington region. With a global demand for authentic, ethically produced New Zealand honey, there is strong potential in export markets, Vanessa says. “While we currently focus on the domestic market, we are carefully assessing the regulatory complexities, logistical requirements, and scalability implications involved in venturing into export. “Any future expansion into international markets would be undertaken strategically to ensure our core values and product quality remain uncompromised.” There have been positive advancements in the New Zealand industry, she says, including increased focus on quality assurance and traceability, particularly for Manuka honey, with robust testing protocols. Grafter’s continues to improve hive health and productivity, and is looking at expanding its land regeneration initiatives. While they are not looking at large-scale expansion, the couple are continuously assessing opportunities for sustainable growth. “Our overarching vision is to remain a respected provider of premium, ethically produced New Zealand honey, deeply connected to our community and the natural environment.” Create the labels you want, with no compromise! 0800 425-223 | info@label.co.nz | www.label.co.nz PROUD TO SUPPORT GRAFTER’S HONEY Digital and Flexographic printing options for: Wine Honey Craft Beer Nutraceutical Personal Care Or any other kind of labelling you might need Labelmakers Group
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