New Zealand Honey Guide
Discover New Zealand Mānuka honey, understand UMF and MGO ratings, and explore the distinctive flavours of native New Zealand honeys including Southern Rātā, Rewarewa, Kāmahi, Tawari and Beech Honeydew.
New Zealand produces some wonderfully distinctive honeys, from internationally recognised Mānuka honey to honeys gathered from native trees and plants found across Aotearoa.
At Adore Collection in Napier, we select New Zealand honey from trusted producers for our store and online collection. Some customers are looking for Mānuka honey, others want to taste different native varieties, and many are simply searching for a particularly New Zealand gift.
This guide explains the differences and helps you choose where to start.
NZ Mānuka Honey
Browse our range of New Zealand Mānuka honey in different strengths and jar sizes.
Shop Mānuka HoneyNZ Native Honey
Discover distinctive New Zealand honeys including Rātā, Rewarewa, Kāmahi, Tawari and Beech Honeydew.
Shop Native HoneyNZ Honey Gift Packs
Taste several New Zealand honey varieties together or choose a beautifully presented New Zealand gift.
Shop Honey Gift PacksWhat is New Zealand Mānuka Honey?
Mānuka honey is produced when bees gather nectar from the flowers of the Mānuka plant, Leptospermum scoparium.
New Zealand Mānuka honey has become internationally recognised because of its distinctive composition and naturally occurring compounds. Genuine New Zealand Mānuka honey must meet New Zealand requirements before it can be sold and exported as Mānuka honey.
UMF and MGO are related, but they do not mean exactly the same thing. MGO measures the concentration of methylglyoxal, while the UMF quality assurance system assesses several factors including potency, authenticity, shelf life and freshness.
What Does UMF Mean?
UMF stands for Unique Mānuka Factor. UMF™ is an independent New Zealand certification and grading system for Mānuka honey.
Honey carrying the UMF™ mark is tested against several quality markers. The UMF system considers factors including MGO for potency, leptosperin for authenticity, DHA in relation to shelf life and HMF as a measure associated with freshness.
You will commonly see ratings such as UMF 5+, 10+, 15+, 20+ and higher.
What Does MGO Mean?
MGO stands for methylglyoxal, one of the naturally occurring compounds associated with Mānuka honey.
An MGO number indicates the measured concentration of methylglyoxal in the honey. In simple terms, a higher MGO number represents a higher concentration of MGO.
How Do I Choose a Mānuka Honey?
There is no single grade that is right for everybody. Your choice may depend on whether you want an everyday table honey, a higher-grade Mānuka honey, a particular flavour, or something special as a gift.
A good place to start if you want Mānuka honey for everyday enjoyment, spreading on toast, adding to food or simply trying Mānuka for the first time.
Higher-rated Mānuka honey containing greater concentrations of the compounds measured as part of the UMF grading system. These grades are also popular as premium New Zealand gifts.
Higher grades are produced in more limited quantities and generally command a higher price because of their measured potency and rarity.
Browse our current New Zealand Mānuka honey range ›
There Is More to New Zealand Honey Than Mānuka
Mānuka may be New Zealand's most famous honey, but it is far from the only one worth discovering.
Bees gathering nectar from different New Zealand native trees and plants create honeys with noticeably different colours, aromas, textures and flavours. Trying several varieties is a lovely way to experience another side of New Zealand's landscape.
Southern Rātā Honey
A distinctive native New Zealand honey traditionally associated with the flowering Rātā forests of the South Island. Often pale in colour with a delicate flavour.
Rewarewa Honey
Rewarewa, sometimes called the New Zealand honeysuckle, produces a characteristically darker honey with a rich and distinctive flavour.
Kāmahi Honey
Kāmahi is a native New Zealand forest tree. Its honey is known for having plenty of character and makes an interesting contrast to the more familiar Mānuka varieties.
Tawari Honey
Tawari trees produce striking white flowers. Tawari honey is generally sought out for its smooth texture and gentle flavour.
Beech Honeydew
Beech Honeydew is different from conventional floral honey. Bees collect honeydew found on New Zealand beech trees, creating a dark, distinctive honey with its own flavour profile.
Other NZ Honeys
Depending on availability, our collection may also include varieties such as Kānuka and Pōhutukawa honey. New Zealand honey is seasonal, so the range can change.
Explore our New Zealand native honey range ›
A Very New Zealand Gift
Honey makes an easy and distinctly New Zealand gift. Mānuka honey is recognised around the world, while native varieties allow someone to taste flavours they may never have encountered before.
Our mixed honey gift packs are particularly useful if you are not sure which variety to choose, because they allow the recipient to compare several New Zealand honeys.
Browse New Zealand honey gift packs ›
Why We Stock New Zealand Honey at Adore Collection
Adore Collection is an independently owned Napier retail store and online shop. We like knowing where the products on our shelves come from and we regularly meet and deal directly with New Zealand suppliers and producers.
Our honey collection is chosen to give customers a useful range rather than dozens of near-identical choices — from everyday Mānuka honey and higher UMF grades to native honey varieties and gift packs.
If you're visiting Napier, you can also browse the range in person at Adore Collection, Emerson Building, 93 Emerson Street, Napier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between UMF and MGO?
MGO measures the concentration of methylglyoxal in Mānuka honey. UMF™ is a wider quality assurance and grading system that tests several markers associated with genuine New Zealand Mānuka honey.
Does a higher UMF or MGO number mean stronger Mānuka honey?
A higher number indicates higher measured potency according to that grading system. It does not necessarily mean that everyone needs to buy the highest grade.
Which Mānuka honey should I buy as a gift?
UMF-rated Mānuka honey makes a recognisably New Zealand gift. Higher grades are often chosen for premium gifts, while mixed honey gift packs are excellent if you would like the recipient to try several varieties.
What is native New Zealand honey?
Native honey is produced from nectar or honeydew associated with New Zealand native plants and forests. Varieties can include Southern Rātā, Rewarewa, Kāmahi, Tawari, Kānuka, Pōhutukawa and Beech Honeydew.
Can I buy New Zealand honey in your Napier store?
Yes. Our New Zealand honey range is available at Adore Collection, Emerson Building, 93 Emerson Street, Napier, as well as online.