We are a small family run company; Sticky Ricky the bee keeper, QueenBee and the two bee boys. 

Our business grew from a hobby and wanting to find a way to not have two parents commuting to the city to pay the mortgage, to have more time to be around to raise our own kids and do work that we are passionate about, that is ethical and makes a positive contribution to our community and environment.

We are assisted by wonderful WWOOFers (click for our listing) from around the world who stay with us, learn about raising bees, stick a lot of labels on jars and exchange knowledge and culture.

Our Bees

Our lucky bees reside on the sub-tropical Waiheke Island, situated off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand.

We consider it a paradise, and our bees agree!

We maintain our breeding stock, nurturing new colonies of bees, at our residence overlooking Palm Beach. Our honey-producing bees inhabit various locations across Waiheke Island. These diverse locations, each with its array of flowering plants, yield distinct flavors of honey.

Hives situated in Manuka-dominated native bush blocks produce a multifaceted honey with caramel toffee undertones—a delightful addition to crumpets or simply savored by the spoonful straight from the jar.

From the renowned Waiheke vineyards our bees gather nectar from the grassland flowers beneath the vines. As the harvest approaches, the bees play a vital role in cleaning up sweet grape juice where birds have pecked. This process prevents the growth of molds, ensuring that the resulting wine avoids off-flavors and may even impart a hint of cabernet to the floral golden syrup flavor of our Multiflora honeys.

Coastal sites, adorned with the beloved Pohutukawa or New Zealand Christmas tree, give rise to Pohutukawa honey—the Champagne of honeys. This exquisite honey sparkles on your tongue, conjuring memories of summer days at the beach. Given the unpredictable weather around Christmas, some years yield a bountiful crop, while others see the rain washing away the nectar from the flowers before the bees can harvest it.

Our “Organic” status

As a small, family-run business, we have opted not to undergo the effort (and significant expense) of obtaining yearly organic certification for our products. We classify them as non-certified organic, a choice that enables us to maintain affordable product prices while concentrating on our top priority: ensuring the well-being of our bees to produce high-quality, raw, untreated pure New Zealand honey.

In our beekeeping practices, we adhere to using only 100% natural organic treatments for varroa mites. This decision stems from our belief that using insecticides on insects is ethically questionable. Additionally, we refrain from using antibiotics, a practice that is fortunately not legal in New Zealand. Apart from our use of natural varroa mite treatment, our hives contain nothing that necessitates the introduction of any natural or synthetic chemicals. Our bees, mirroring the overall health of New Zealand bees, thrive in a robust state.

The honey supers, the boxes our bees inhabit, are crafted from heat-treated wood rather than tantalized wood. While heat-treated wood incurs higher costs, we are steadfast in our belief that subjecting bees to boxes treated with toxic chemicals is imprudent. Furthermore, our fortunate bees have the opportunity to forage in a picturesque natural environment abundant with diverse pollen and nectar sources, providing them with a well-rounded diet.

Waiheke, primarily known for its vineyards and olive groves, offers expansive grassland foraging opportunities for our bees, with minimal use of insecticides. Predominantly, our bees gather nectar and pollen from natural (non-horticultural) areas such as native New Zealand bush and natural Manuka forests. Waiheke stands out as an ideal haven for our bees.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

We strive for the satisfaction of our customers. If any issue arises, please inform us promptly so that we can rectify it and gain insights from your experience.

A foundation of contented customers contributes to the strength and happiness of our company. If, for any reason, you are not entirely pleased with your purchase, you have the option to return it for a full refund or replacement. Please allow 3 to 7 days for processing, and kindly note that we cannot refund postage and packaging unless the goods are considered faulty. The responsibility for return shipping lies with the customer, who can either arrange for the return or drop off the item in person.

Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we appreciate your cooperation in ensuring your satisfaction with our products and services.


Richard Evatt
Sticky Ricky

Sheena Evatt-Wood
Queen Bee

Leo and Lex Evatt
Mini Bees

The Girls
Bee Collective