Frequently asked questions
Everything about our honey, MGO and orders search or browse by topic.
Mānuka & MGO
MGO (methylglyoxal) is the naturally occurring compound that gives mānuka honey its strength. The higher the MGO number, the more potent the honey — from everyday MGO 50+ up to our high-strength MGO 600+.
No two harvests are ever exactly the same - and that's one of the things we love most about real honey.
Just like wine or olive oil, Mānuka honey reflects the season and the landscape it comes from. Rainfall, sunshine, soil, flowering conditions and the native plants surrounding the Mānuka all influence the colour, texture and flavour of each harvest.
At King Bees, all of our Mānuka honey is harvested from New Zealand's rugged East Coast. This unique landscape produces a honey that's known for its smooth, rich flavour with a clean finish.
These natural variations are a sign that your honey is exactly as nature intended - minimally processed, harvested seasonally, and true to the place it came from.
MGO 50+ and 100+ are perfect for daily use; MGO 300+ is a great step-up for the colder months; MGO 600+ is our premium, high-potency jar for when you want maximum strength.
Yes — every batch is independently lab-tested for MGO and is glyphosate residue free. It's single-source and traceable right back to the hive.
Mānuka honey isn't made all year round. The wild Mānuka trees only flower for a few short weeks each summer, giving our bees a very limited window to collect the nectar.
Our hives are tucked away in some of the most remote parts of New Zealand's East Coast, so simply reaching them often means long days on rough tracks and challenging terrain. Harvesting the honey is just the beginning - every batch is carefully extracted, independently tested, and packed right here on the East Coast.
Not every season is the same, either. Weather plays a huge role in how much nectar the Mānuka trees produce, which means every harvest is different and supply is naturally limited.
You're not just buying a jar of honey. You're buying a rare harvest from one extraordinary place, produced by a family of beekeepers who care for every step of the journey - from hive to jar.
Our honey
King Bees Mānuka Honey comes from one of the most remote and untouched parts of New Zealand — the rugged East Coast, where our bees forage amongst wild native Mānuka growing naturally across hills, valleys and coastal landscapes.
We're a family of beekeepers, not just a honey brand. From caring for our hives and selecting remote apiary sites to harvesting, extracting and packing every jar, we're involved every step of the journey. That means complete traceability, small-batch production and honey that's handled with care from hive to jar.
Our East Coast landscape gives our honey its own distinctive character. Long sunny days, clean air, rich native bush and a unique coastal climate all play a part in creating a Mānuka honey that's smooth, full-flavoured and naturally rich.
Every batch is independently tested for quality and purity, so you can trust that what's on the label is exactly what's in the jar.
It's simple really.
Real beekeepers. Real honey. One extraordinary place.
Coast Honey is light and floral with a hint of sea breeze, gathered from coastal flora. Bush Honey is deeper and earthier, sourced from rugged inland native bush. Both are raw and unblended.
No. Never.
Every jar of King Bees Mānuka Honey is exactly as the bees made it. We don't add anything, and we don't take anything away.
Once the honey is harvested, it's gently extracted, independently tested for quality, and packed right here on New Zealand's East Coast.
That's it.
100% pure Mānuka honey. No additives. No preservatives. No shortcuts. Just nature, from hive to jar.
Crystallisation is completely natural for raw honey and a sign it hasn't been over-processed. Stand the jar in warm (not boiling) water to gently return it to a runny texture.
Honey is one of nature's best preservers. If stored correctly, your Mānuka honey will keep for years.
For the best flavour and quality, store your honey in a cool, dry pantry away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. There's no need to refrigerate it.
You'll also notice a best before date on every jar. While honey doesn't spoil in the way many foods do, we recommend enjoying it before this date to experience it at its very best.
A few storage tips:
Store below 23°C where possible.
Keep the lid tightly sealed.
Store in the pantry, not the fridge.
If your honey naturally thickens or crystallises over time, don't worry—that's completely normal and a sign of real, minimally processed honey.
Yes. Mānuka honey is safe for most children over the age of 12 months and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.
However, honey should never be given to babies under 12 months of age, as their digestive systems are not yet developed enough to safely consume it.
If you have any concerns about introducing honey into your child's diet, it's always best to speak with your healthcare professional.
Orders & Shipping
NZ orders dispatch within 1–2 business days and arrive in 2–4 days via NZ Post; rural a little longer. Free shipping on NZ orders over $69.
Each Whānau jar is wrapped and packed in a custom-made box sized for its weight, then sent tracked with NZ Post so it arrives safely.
Returns
If something isn't right, get in touch and we'll make it right with a replacement or refund.