Carterton council strikes sweet deal

ALL ABUZZ: Carterton District Council is entering a joint venture with Comvita to trial manuka honey production in the Kaipaitangata Forest. PHOTO/FILE

Carterton District Council is hoping to sweeten profits from the Kaipaitangata Forest.

Plans are under way to convert 20ha to produce manuka honey as part of a joint venture with natural healthcare company Comvita.

The council approved spending $40,000 to establish a small manuka plantation at Kaipaitangata Forest as part of its 2014/2015 annual plan.

The council bought 260 hectares of land to provide a water catchment area for the district.

The forest was harvested more than 10 years ago but a portion was left unharvested because of the difficult terrain and falling log prices prevailing at the time. Now part of the previously unharvested forest will be felled to provide space for the manuka seedlings.

Council regulatory and planning manager Milan Hautler said it was a chance to use land the council was required to own.

"We thought 'well let's diversify a little bit and make use of areas of land where it's considered difficult to harvest pines' so council is investing in that as a joint operation with Comvita.

"There's not much else that can be done other than keep it in pines. There are areas where most of it is quite accessible for harvesting but there are some areas that are difficult.

"It seemed like an ideal opportunity to trial these manuka seedlings."

A contractor is expected to begin harvesting pine trees to clear space for the manuka early this month.

The manuka seedlings will be planted in May or June and it will take about three years for the trees to become established and for any honey to be produced, Mr Hautler says.

Unique manuka factor (UMF) honey has strong antiseptic and healing properties and is recognised by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

It has significant export potential and demands high prices.