Midlands Apiaries
Honey Manufacturers delivering Your Total Honey Solution
At Midlands Apiaries, we pride ourselves on producing the world's finest honey.
What We Do
We provide a full service when it comes to honey, producing and packing some of the most popular New Zealand honey products. We have a world class operation, producing some of the world’s best honeys from our pristine lands and forests. We can guide you along the process, from blend specification to label design. We can help you develop your brand.
Premium Honey, Trusted Globally
Crafting Honey with Expertise & Care
At Midlands Apiaires, we combine decades of expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and world-class quality standards to deliver 100% pure, authentic honey. From production to packaging, every step is designed to provide reliable, consistent products for retailers and brand partners worldwide.
Producing the smoothest honeys
Delivering on Quality
We operate a strong Quality Assurance Programme with vigilant compliance and certification systems.
We are focused on a high-quality production process and the highest quality assurance standards. Our purpose-built processing facility operates a HACCP based Risk Management Programme and is a certified SQF food production facility, licensed and inspected by New Zealand's Ministry of Primary Industry (MPI). We undertake regular testing of our honey and honey products to ensure our customers are getting top quality and value.
midlands Innovation
Honey Research & Technology Innovation
Research and technology are central to our honey operations. From the company's beginning, we have focused on applying innovation to ensure consistent, premium-quality honey while maintaining the highest food safety standards. Midlands now runs extensive programmes that integrate advanced production technology with research-driven insights, improving honey consistency, traceability, and reliability for global markets.
Our path in premium Mānuka honey
Our Journey of Innovation & Growth
Symes Apiaries Founded
The origins of Midlands Apiaries began with Symes Apiaries, laying the foundation for high-quality beekeeping and honey production in New Zealand. Early expertise in hive management set the stage for premium honey and reliable pollination services.
1920
Symes Apiaries Officially Formed
Symes Apiaries became an official business entity, formalising operations and expanding honey production. This step marked the start of structured growth in both honey quality and supply reliability.
1937
Midlands Seed Founded
The establishment of Midlands Seed created a trusted source of high-quality seed production. This innovation also strengthened pollination partnerships, ensuring honeybees supported consistent yields for hybrid and open-pollinated seed varieties.
1990
Midlands Holdings Formed
Midlands Holdings was created to manage and grow the group’s expanding operations. For honey and pollination customers, this meant long-term stability, reliable service, and investment in advanced beekeeping systems.
1997
Midlands Properties Incorporated
Midlands Properties was established to secure and manage the land assets needed for specialised seed production. Over time, these strategic property holdings enabled the development of Midlands Apiaries’ state-of-the-art honey packing and extraction facilities, ensuring premium product quality, food safety compliance, and efficient production for international markets.
2002
Midlands Apiaries Established
The acquisition of Symes Apiaries formalised the honey division under the Midlands banner. This strengthened pollination services for seed growers while expanding premium honey production for global markets.
2006
Midlands Bees Incorporated
Separating the beekeeping arm into a dedicated company enabled a sharper focus on hive health, pollination contracts, and honey quality. Seed growers benefited from dependable pollination systems that improve hybrid seed purity and crop yields.
2017
Government Accreditation of Mānuka Honey
The New Zealand Government introduced official accreditation testing to counter fraudulent Mānuka honey claims globally. Midlands Apiaries’ focus on verified UMF standards ensures authenticity and market confidence for buyers worldwide.
2018
London International Honey Awards Success
Midlands Apiaries’ retail Mānuka brands dominated the New Zealand market at the 2022 London International Honey Awards, earning 10 medals, the highest number awarded to any single company. This achievement highlighted product quality, innovation, and international recognition.
2022
Continued Global Recognition
Midlands achieved outstanding results at the London International Honey Awards, with all three retail brands earning gold and platinum awards. Mount Somers’ Mānuka UMF 15+ was ranked #3 in the Global Top 10 Creamy Honey (the only Mānuka honey included) while Primal by Nature and PURITI continued to receive top accolades, reinforcing Midlands’ reputation for premium, authentic Mānuka honey worldwide.
