Hamilton Honey Scores Sweet Silver at National Awards

Hamilton Honey Scores Sweet Silver at National Awards

24 July 2015

Honey collected from hives at three popular Hamilton locations has claimed a silver medal at the recent National Beekeepers Association National Honey Competition.

Kirikiriroa Honey, produced by Waikato firm Sweetree, claimed second prize in the Beekeepers Special Reserve section of the awards, held in Taupo in June.

The awards' Special Reserve Category included 12 entries.

Sweetree's Kirikiriroa Honey is produced from 45 hives at three publicly-owned facilities operated by Hamilton City Council — Hamilton Gardens, Taitua Arboretum and Hamilton Zoo. Close to 1700kg of honey has already been produced from the hives.

Sweetree is owned and operated by Martin and Stephanie Lynch, who last year entered an arrangement with Council to place hives at the three facilities.

“This is the first year we have taken honey from the city beehives and it’s fantastic that it should win an award," Mr Lynch says.

The National Beekeepers Association awards are judged purely on the product with no packaging, marketing or gimmicks to detract from the honey. All honey is entered in the same packaging and the products are judged on characteristics such as taste and texture.

Hamilton Zoo Director Stephen Standley says the hives are a welcome addition to the Zoo’s biodiversity, and congratulates Martin and his team on the well deserved award.

“We are proud to be part of a combined effort with Hamilton Gardens and Taitua Arboretum to produce a quality product for people to buy, and our animals, particularly birds and primates, love it too.”

Sweetree's honey can be purchased via the company's website –www.sweetreehoney.co.nz – or at the Hamilton Farmers Market.

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