Wow, what happened? We ponder this question as we sit here after what was a terrible season, looking at our pathetic harvest. All the beekeepers up and down the country tell a tale of the same woes. A perfect-storm situation for a low yield crop -shocking weather right from mid spring to late summer, rain, wind, and cold. Queen bees didn’t get mated in spring, manuka flowering was weaker than normal, bees sheltered in their hives during the nectar flow and what nectar flow there was, got washed from the manuka blossom by the rain. Bugger! Thankfully, we have stocks of manuka, maturing from previous seasons and from our experience a great year usually follows a bad one. It allows us time to reflect and prepare for 2018 season. Bring it on! On a very positive note, Avatar’s new labels look incredible! It really captures the essence of the brand and brings a structured hierarchy to our honey portfolio. Thanks to the team at Gregory Studio for all the hard work in pulling this off. MPI keeps pushing out the release date of the NZ government’s new manuka honey definition/standard, so we have had to push on and print the labels without knowing what changes we will need to make following MPI’s release of the new definition. But the show must go on… Finally, we are working on some new exciting honey products to add to our portfolio…watch this space!
Yes, manuka honey can be good for a sore throat. Research supports honey for soothing throat irritation and improving upper respiratory tract symptoms, and major health organisations also recognise honey as a practical, first-line option for throat comfort.
by Avatar New Zealand Manuka Honey AdminApril 03, 2026
Yes—manuka honey can be good for a cold in the sense that research supports honey for easing several of the most bothersome common cold symptoms, especially cough and sore throat. Manuka honey is a supportive option: it can help you feel more comfortable while your body clears the virus, but it does not “cure” a cold or stop a cold virus.
By the end of this guide, you will know exactly how to apply manuka honey to a minor wound at home: clean the area, apply a thin layer of MGO400+ manuka honey, cover with the right dressing, and change it daily. Research demonstrates manuka honey has antibacterial and healing-support properties, which is why medical-grade manuka honey dressings are used in clinical wound care settings.
Stephen Franks
May 02, 2018
I liked that explanation of the 2017 harvest among all the sharp photos and product descriptions.
Thanks for the delicious honey Cathy received.