Forty hectares of Manuka will be planted on Council land in the Sainsbury Road Forest at Pirongia as a long-term investment that is expected to provide a good financial return for ratepayers.
A lease agreement with a Manuka honey company for the land has the potential to return an investment of $485,000 to $2.4 million to Council over a 25-year period depending on the Manuka market.
Property services manager David Varcoe said planting Manuka was the best option for return to the ratepayer, the environment, and for the users of the forest.
“After consultation with mana whenua and stakeholders, the preference was for natives to be planted in the forest. So, it was important the option we chose was native.”
The Manuka is a strain from Kawhia and produces a high MGO, the acid that gives Manuka honey its health benefits.
“It will take three weeks to plant the harvested area and after that there is minimal maintenance or upkeep required,” Varcoe said.
The operation of the bees and honey collection will be dealt with by a market provider.
Manuka can cope with harsh environmental conditions, be beneficial in forest regeneration, and provide a habitat for native birds.
