Beekeeper: Colin McBeth
Profile
The Pohutukawa (Metsiderosis excelsa) is one of New Zealand's favourite and most well-known native trees that cling to the coastlines of New Zealand. Each summer the trees break into bloom covered in masses of brilliant crimson flowers, peaking in December, hence giving the tree its name as New Zealand's Christmas Tree. Honeybees feast on this brilliant colour palette. The flowering of the Pohutukawa is very erratic making Pohutukawa honey very challenging to collect and a very rare treat.
Pohutukawa honey is collected from hives nestled in remote coastal corners of the beautiful Coromandel peninsula.