Kapiti Island abuzz with new honey business

Kapiti Island is now home to both the birds and the bees.

A sanctuary for native birds, the island boasts about 30 beehives that are now making honey for tourists and Kapiti locals.

The new business selling the honey was launched this month and comes with a promise.

‘‘For us the Kapiti name has a strict implication that it will be made on the island,’’ Manaaki Barrett said.

The Barrett family have worked on and for the island in some capacity since 1820 and Manaaki said the honey was another way for people to connect with the ‘‘special place’’.

‘‘It’s a good example of being able to get something from the land without wrecking it. You’re giving back to the land as well as getting something from it.

‘‘With the honey both tourists and locals can engage with the island.’’

Barrett’s father John said it was the third year his family, who live on the island, had been producing honey, but it wasn’t the only time there had been hives on the island.

‘‘Department of Conservation rangers have had hives as well as other folk. We thought it was a good way to make the most of the resources we have here and it tastes pretty good.’’

An ‘‘old-style apiarist’’ was teaching his son how to manage the hives and wider family were welcome to get involved, he said.

‘‘The end product is great and people are going a bit gooey for it.’’

Kapiti Island Honey can be bought at kapitiislandhoney.co.nz.