Mānuka honey is a rare and highly sought-after honey produced exclusively in New Zealand from the nectar of the native Mānuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium), which blooms for only a six-week window each year. This short flowering period, combined with the remote locations in which these trees grow, makes Mānuka honey particularly scarce and valuable. 

What truly sets Mānuka honey apart from regular table honey is its unique antibacterial properties, due to the presence of methylglyoxal (MGO) — the superstar compound that gives Mānuka Honey these properties. The higher the MGO level, the more potent your Mānuka Honey is.

Mānuka honey contains over 2000 naturally occurring bioactive compounds, such as  methylglyoxal (MGO), which is a compound that is scientifically proven to give Manuka Honey its health benefits. Often used in skincare, wellness routines, and as a versatile natural sweetener, in general certified Manuka honey (with a UMF or MGO rating) is valued for its purity and quality. It can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, and we advise that you read the label to ensure the product is safe for you. 

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Methylglyoxal (MGO for short) is the superstar compound that gives Manuka Honey its antibacterial properties and is an important measure of its potency. The higher the MGO level, the more concentrated, and therefore more powerful, the manuka honey is.

MGO can be measured alongside UMF (Unique Mānuka Factor), which is a more robust grading system used in New Zealand. You will see both the MGO level and UMF grade displayed on our labels to help ensure customers can easily understand the different strengths and what they mean.

UMF stands for Unique Mānuka Factor and is the leading, independently certified quality assurance system for New Zealand Mānuka honey. Recognised worldwide, it verifies the honey's potency, authenticity, purity, shelf life, and freshness. Products bearing the UMF™ trademark must meet strict standards set by the Unique Mānuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA), ensuring consumers can trust the strength and quality of every jar.

Egmont Honey is a certified member of The UMF Honey Association, so any of our Mānuka Honey jars with a UMF badge is tested and verified by a UMFHA approved laboratory before going to market. This means you can rest assured that you’re purchasing 100% pure and authentic Mānuka Honey from us.

The simple answer is that genuine Mānuka honey, particularly UMF-certified varieties, is far more than just a natural sweetener. With scientifically supported antibacterial properties, due to the naturally occurring compounds in Mānuka honey, it’s recognised globally as a premium natural health product, making it difficult to compare to standard supermarket honey.

Producing authentic Mānuka honey is a highly specialised process. The Mānuka tree blooms for only a few weeks each year in remote parts of New Zealand, making the nectar both rare and challenging to gather. Here at Egmont Honey, our hives are strategically placed in isolated areas across the South Taranaki region, some so remote they can only be reached by helicopter. Every batch of Manuka honey also undergoes rigorous testing to verify its purity, potency, and UMF rating, with strict quality controls in place to ensure each jar meets the highest standards for authenticity and traceability.

Multifloral Manuka honey is created by blending Mānuka nectar with other wildflower nectars such as Pohutukawa, Rewarewa, Kāmahi, Rata, creating a creamy, indulgent flavour. While this doesn’t contain the same high levels of MGO as our UMF grade Manuka Honey, this is a great ‘entry-level’ honey starting at MGO 50+.

Our multifloral MGO 50+ and MGO 100+ New Zealand Mānuka Honey has a rich, caramel flavour and is the best type of honey to use in your cooking as a natural alternative to refined sugar. 

Monofloral Mānuka honey refers to honey that contains no other floral source, and is only derived from the nectar of the Mānuka tree. 

One of the easiest ways to identify genuine monofloral Mānuka honey is by looking for the UMF (Unique Mānuka Factor) badge on the label. This means it has been tested and verified by a UMFHA approved laboratory before going to market. You can rest assured that you’re purchasing 100% pure and authentic New Zealand Mānuka Honey.

Due to the high sugar content in Mānuka honey, it is not considered a perishable food product, so it does not expire. However, over time Mānuka honey will naturally darken as it ages and its flavour may become more malty and caramelised to taste, however, it is usually still safe to consume.

It is perfectly normal for honey to change colour from batch to batch. Honey is made from nectar collected from different types of flowers, and each flower type can have a slightly different colour. Additionally, the season and location within New Zealand, can affect its colour. Some batches may be lighter in colour, while others are darker, but this does not affect the quality or safety of the honey. It’s just a natural variation!

You can find our Manuka Honey in Woolworths nationwide, New World nationwide, online at egmonthoney.co.nz and at the Egmont Honey Gift Shop (New Plymouth). For more information and for our global stockists, click here.

All our products are packed into 100% recycled plastic rPET jars, which require 79% fewer greenhouse emissions and less energy to create than new plastic jars. Using rPET jars are also more environmentally friendly for exporting our Mānuka honey from New Zealand to other markets due to being a lighter weight than glass.

Our different coloured labels represent the unique grades of our Mānuka Honey as well as the different uses.

Orange Label: Everyday Wellbeing
This is our entry-level Mānuka Honey, starting at MGO 50+. It features a multifloral blend that combines Mānuka nectar with other native wildflowers such as Pōhutukawa, Rewarewa, Kāmāhi, and Rātā. Smooth and versatile. It is perfect for everyday use whether stirred into teas, lathered on toast, or used in cooking and baking.

Green Label: Soothe & Vitality
This range features UMF-certified Monofloral Mānuka Honey — pure Mānuka with no other floral sources added. With UMF ratings from 5+ to 10+, it offers elevated levels of MGO and naturally occurring compounds. Best enjoyed straight from the spoon, drizzled over cereal, or blended into smoothies.

Red & Black Label: Intense Support
These are our premium high-grades of Mānuka Honey. With some of the highest levels of MGO, known for its powerful bioactive compounds and scientifically supported to provide antibacterial benefits. This range is best kept on the top shelf and savoured by the spoonful for maximum benefit.

All our honey is 100% raw and unpasteurised. Our hives are located deep within New Zealand’s untouched native forests, which allows our bees to collect pure nectar directly from the Mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) tree.

To ensure the highest quality, every batch undergoes independent laboratory testing to confirm it is non-GMO, glyphosate residue-free, and antibiotic-free.

As part of our filtration and creaming process, we gently heat and churn our honey to achieve our signature smooth, creamy texture. However we carefully control the temperature to ensure it remains well below pasteurisation levels - preserving the honey’s raw integrity from hive to jar. 

The majority of New Zealand honey types will solidify in the drum after extraction, so this gentle heating process is an essential step taking the honey from drum to jar.

Once you have submitted your order, we are not able to cancel or amend it. This includes adding any discounts post purchase. You may still be able to return the items as per our returns and refunds policy.

If you have any concerns about your order, you can email us at website@egmonthoney.co.nz

Once you have submitted your order, we cannot apply any discount codes post purchase. We also cannot cancel or amend your order. Please note that discount codes will not work on clearance items or already discounted items.

We aim to have your order packed and on its way to you as soon as possible, however from time to time, and during high demand periods (i.e. promotional periods) we may experience some short delays.

Once your package has been collected by the courier, deliver times may vary based on your destination and whether international shipping is involved. You can find our shipping times and rates here. 

Alternatively, if you have any questions about your order, you can email us at website@egmonthoney.co.nz

We have a 15-day return policy, which means you have 15 days after receiving your item to request a return.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unopened, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.

To start a return, you can contact us at website@egmonthoney.co.nz. If your return is accepted, we’ll send you a return address. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.

Find out more here.