We're Be Local Honey Collective, connecting people with the best of New Zealand's regions through premium honey and curated local products. We champion outstanding local beekeepers and artisans, celebrating regional identity and the spirit of local. Every jar tells the story of place, people, and purpose—from the wild native forests of the Southern Alps to the alpine meadows of Central Otago.

Our mission is to connect people with the best of their region by crafting premium honey and curating exceptional local products—supporting passionate beekeepers, celebrating regional identity, and inspiring pride in local goodness. We exist to elevate the experience of giving, sharing, and enjoying honey and artisan foods, with every jar telling the story of place, people, and purpose.

Our vision is to be New Zealand’s leading purveyor of premium local honey, honey-based gifts, and curated regional experiences — celebrating the richness of our land through authentic, small-batch products.

We champion outstanding local beekeepers and artisans, proudly connecting communities with the best of their region. Whether gifting, exploring, or indulging, our discerning customers enjoy handcrafted honey and hampers that honour provenance, sustainability, and the spirit of local.

Together with the locals, we celebrate local.

Our honeys come from some of New Zealand's most pristine and remote locations:

• Southern Alps: Honeydew from native beechwood forests
• Central Otago: Premium clover honey from rugged landscapes
• Queenstown Lakes District: Multi-floral and Mānuka honey from alpine meadows
• Marlborough Sounds & Manawatū: High-grade Mānuka honey from wild coastal forests

West Coast & The Catlins: Rare Southern Rātā honeycomb from pristine native forests

Southern Alps Honeydew is the newest and most talked-about honey variety in New Zealand. Unlike traditional honey, it's made when bees gather sweet secretions from native scale insects on beech trees. This unique process creates a deep, silky honey with:

• Lower glucose levels than regular honey
• Higher antioxidant levels than even Mānuka honey
• Natural prebiotic properties for gut health
• It doesn't crystallize, making it perfect for drizzling
• Flavours of golden syrup, maple, caramel, and butterscotch

Central Otago produces the best clover honey in New Zealand. Our clover honey is sourced from the iconic Central Otago landscapes and offers:

• Super silky and smooth texture
• Pure white colour
• Sweet, buttery, smooth taste
• Perfect for breakfast, baking, or everyday sweetness
• Classic New Zealand favourite with gentle floral notes

We offer two distinct Queenstown honey types:

Queenstown Lakes Multi-Floral: Sourced from alpine meadows, clover pastures, and wild roadside blooms with soft floral sweetness and subtle herbal notes. Great for hay fever with local pollen including Kamahi, Matagouri, Clover, Mānuka, and Erica.

Queenstown Mānuka: Harvested from native Mānuka blooms in the mountains surrounding Queenstown's lakes and trails. Features deep caramel tones and powerful herbal complexity—perfect for wellness routines or bold flavour lovers.

Mānuka honey is a unique type of honey from New Zealand, known for its powerful antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. It comes from bees that pollinate the white flowers of the Leptospermum scoparium (Mānuka tree), which is native to New Zealand.

MGO (Methylglyoxal): The compound responsible for Mānuka honey's antibacterial properties. Higher MGO means stronger potency.

UMF (Unique Mānuka Factor): A certification organization verifying MGO levels and additional quality markers.

Our MGO to UMF comparison:

• MGO 83+ = UMF 5+
• MGO 263+ = UMF 10+
• MGO 514+ = UMF 15+
• MGO 829+ = UMF 20+
• MGO 1200+ = UMF 25+

Based on research from the NIH and clinical studies, Mānuka honey offers:

1. Antibacterial & Antimicrobial Properties: Combats antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA and H. pylori
2. Wound Healing & Skin Health: Promotes faster healing, helps with burns, acne, eczema, and psoriasis
3. Sore Throat & Cough Relief: Natural cough suppressant and throat soother
4. Digestive Health: Reduces acid reflux, bloating, and IBS symptoms
5. Immune System Support: Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds
6. Oral Health Benefits: Reduces plaque formation and fights harmful bacteria
7. Energy & General Wellbeing: Natural energy booster with slow-releasing sugars

Antiviral & Fungal Protection: Effective against various infections

MGO 514+: Sore throats, gut support (1-2 tsp daily, 5-10g) MGO 829+: Gut healing, high inflammation (1-2 tsp daily, 5-10g) MGO 1282+: Acute illness, immune recovery (1-1.5 tsp daily, 5-7g)

Yes, all our honeys are raw, unfiltered, and minimally processed. We never use heat treatment, pasteurization, or artificial additives. Our honey retains all natural enzymes, antioxidants, and pollens, making it a nutrient-rich, whole-food sweetener.

Absolutely. Every batch is independently tested for:

• MGO/UMF levels (for Mānuka honey)
• Purity and authenticity markers
• Quality and safety standards
• Our high-grade Mānuka honeys come with traceable test results

Store honey in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid refrigeration as it may cause faster crystallization. Pure honey doesn't spoil and can last indefinitely when stored properly.

Crystallization is a natural process that doesn't affect honey's quality or nutritional value. It indicates pure, raw honey. To return crystallized honey to liquid form, gently warm the jar in a warm water bath and stir.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We are glass focused so people can reuse at home or recycle. When our travelling customers need plastic, we choose rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) jars made entirely from post-consumer recycled plastic. This reduces carbon emissions by up to 70% compared to new plastic and helps close the recycling loop.

Visit belocal.co.nz to browse our full range and place your order online. Our website features detailed product information and our honey tasting experience guide. Otherwise  visit on our trusted retail partners listed here.

Yes, we offer shipping throughout New Zealand. Shipping costs and timeframes vary by location and order size.

Please contact us directly for international shipping options and rates.

Yes, we specialize in honey-based gifts and curated regional experiences. Our products make perfect gifts that tell the story of New Zealand's unique regions.

We stand behind the quality of our products. If you're not completely satisfied, please contact us to discuss a return or exchange.

Honey should not be given to children under 12 months of age due to the risk of botulism. For children over 12 months, our milder honeys like Central Otago Clover or lower MGO Mānuka varieties are suitable in appropriate amounts.

Our local multi-floral honeys may help with seasonal allergies as they contain local pollens. However, if you have severe allergies or bee-related allergies, consult your healthcare provider before consuming honey.

For wellness support, 1-2 teaspoons (5-10g) daily is typically recommended. For specific health concerns, consult with a healthcare professional. Start with lower MGO grades if you're new to Mānuka honey.

Absolutely! Our honeys are excellent for cooking and baking. However, avoid high heat with Mānuka honey to preserve its beneficial properties. Our Central Otago Clover and Multi-floral varieties are perfect for everyday cooking.

We at Be Local have hives across Queenstown, including Gibbston Valley, Lake Hayes, Dalefield, and Jacks Point. We also have hives in the Marlborough Sounds. Outside of these areas, we partner with the best ethical beekeepers in New Zealand, from Lake Hawea, Central Otago, Nelson, West Coast of the South Island, and the Manawatū.

Yes, we are happy to help when we have hives available. Please see the "Beehives for sale" link on our website for current availability and pricing.

Yes, within the Wakatipu region we provide this service. Please see the "Beehives for sale" link on our website for more information about hosting hives on your property.

Yes, we champion outstanding local beekeepers throughout New Zealand. We work closely with passionate beekeepers who share our commitment to quality and environmental stewardship.

We partner with beekeepers who prioritize bee welfare and environmental sustainability. Our beekeepers use natural methods to maintain hive health and work in harmony with native ecosystems.

Yes we do and would love to share this with you. Just sign up to our newsletter on our website to receive regular educational content about bees, beekeeping, and honey.

Harvest seasons vary by region and flower type:

• Mānuka: Short 2-8 week window during spring/summer
• Clover: Spring to early summer
• Rātā: Every few years during spectacular bloom cycles
• Honeydew: Seasonal availability depending on forest conditions

Pricing reflects rarity, difficulty of harvest, and potency:

• Location accessibility: Remote areas require helicopter access
• Seasonal availability: Limited flowering periods
• Rarity: Some trees like Rātā only bloom every few years
• Testing and certification: Higher-grade Mānuka requires extensive testing

MGO potency: Higher MGO levels are rarer and more valuable

We offer a tasting guide that takes you on a sensory journey through New Zealand's diverse landscapes. Contact us for information about our "From Blossom to Spoon" tasting experiences.

Yes, we're passionate about educating customers about honey varieties, regional terroir, and the beekeeping process. Check our website for guides and tasting notes.

Visit belocal.co.nz or contact us directly. We're always happy to help you choose the perfect honey for your needs or answer any questions about our products.

Please contact us directly to discuss bulk orders or wholesale opportunities.