Treaty snag awaits real manuka honey

A looming change in how ma¯ nuka honey is classified is being challenged as a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi with a claim Ma¯ori were not consulted.

The change in classification is being pushed through by the Ministry of Primary Industries in a bid to rid the highly lucrative trade of inferior honey.

But it could also reduce export earning by millions as honey currently classified as ma¯ nuka could be downgraded to bush honey, which does not attract a premium price.

Victor Goldsmith, a spokesman for Miere Working Group, which looks out for Ma¯ori rights, said the change also breached article two of the Treaty because the ma¯ nuka flower was a taonga to Ma¯ ori.

Goldsmith said this meant any change to the use or worth of the taonga needed to be made in consultation with Ma¯ ori.

‘‘Consultation hasn’t happened with Ma¯ori,’’ he said.

‘‘The issue is certainly going to be raised.’’

Goldsmith said at least 60 per cent of land on which ma¯ nuka honey was collected was owned by Ma¯ ori.

Ma¯ nuka hives can generate value of up to $4000 per hive annually.

In recent years competition for ma¯nuka sites has soared and beekeepers are prepared to offer big money for ma¯ nuka-rich land.

But the honey industry has estimated the new standard would relabel 40 per cent to 70 per cent of current export ma¯nuka to ‘‘bush honey’’, effectively reducing the export, hurting beekeepers, and leaving ma¯ nuka landowners empty handed.

‘‘They’ve come out with a definition they think is quite minor,’’ Goldsmith said.

‘‘They are acting as the judge, the jury and the executioner.’’

He said a lot of the land returned to Ma¯ori over the years had been ‘‘marginal’’ and had only become valuable again as ma¯nuka honey soared in value.

‘‘Everyone used to laugh at the potential erosion of trust with trading partners if the ma¯nuka classification was not addressed.

A primary production committee inquiry is due to meet 10 days after the new standard rolls out and will offer people an opportunity to share their views on the new classification.

MPI said this was not a review and the committee ‘‘does not have the power to amend the export rules’’.

In recent years competition for ma¯ nuka sites has soared and beekeepers are prepared to offer big money for ma¯ nuka-rich land.