Huka Honey Hive: 29 years and still buzzing
Huka Honey Hive celebrates its 29th year in business in 2022.
In this time there have been a number of challenges affecting visitor numbers, including the Japanese economic crisis in the early 90s and Sars in the early 2000s. Not surprisingly the biggest challenge the business has faced in its history is Covid-19.
Mark and Jo Saville bought the business from the founders in 2018, having returned from more than a decade living and working in the Pacific Islands.
They set about refreshing the business and expanding the range of products and services on offer, while ensuring the authentic family-friendliness of the business remained.
Now in its 29th year,Huka Honey Hive prides itself on being not only a sustainable business but a resilient one, too, says Jo, with a team of friendly staff who are dedicated to ensuring every visitor’s experience is a real buzz – helping customers with gift choices, tasting honeys, meads or offering interesting facts about bees.
For Taupo locals, Huka Honey Hive is a popular place to visit during the week for a coffee or ice cream – especially by the fireside in winter – or just to stop in to buy a gift for someone; the store has over 1000 items to choose from. For out-of-towners, it’s always a must-do when visiting Taupo or travelling through.
Located close to Huka Falls, Huka Honey Hive is a unique honey experience, Jo says.
‘‘Free entry and free honey tasting is just the start! Live beehives to view, educational movies, a bee simulator game and fascinating interactive displays which are always a hit with the children. And for the adults, free mead and liqueur tastings!’’
With New Zealand’s largest showcase of honey products, Mark and Jo know you’ll love the 100 per cent pure New Zealand honeys, artisan meads, beers, ports and gins, natural manuka honey skincare ranges and an amazing array of natural health and wellbeing products including royal jelly, propolis, pollen and bee venom.
Books, toys, souvenirs, ecoware, home de´cor, candles, condiments – Huka Honey Hive is so much more than just honey.
Huka Honey Hive only sources beautiful and sustainable bee and honey-based products from companies which actively improve the welfare of bees.
‘‘Huka Honey Hive’s mission is to save the planet, one bee at a time! Come and see what the ‘buzz’ is all about!’’
❚ Open 7 days – 9am to 5pm in summer and 10am to 5pm in winter. For more information visit www.hukahoneyhive.com