Niue Honey, recently named Best International Honey at the United Kingdom's 85th National Honey Show—dubbed the Oscars of world honey—is not just any honey. It's certified organic, unpasteurised, and boasts a complex palate of caramel and malt. But behind its success lies a story of resilience, innovation, and international collaboration that goes beyond taste.

At the core of Niue Honey's triumph is its unique origin: Niue is home to the world's last known significant population of Italian honeybees, completely free from diseases and parasites that plague bee colonies elsewhere. These bees, Apis mellifera ligustica, are responsible for most global pollination, and their isolation on Niue has preserved their purity, making them a key asset in global efforts to safeguard bee populations.

Niue Honey was recently named Best International Honey at the United Kingdom's National Honey Show.

However, it wasn't always smooth sailing. Like many businesses across the Pacific, Niue Honey Company faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of their biggest hurdles was securing their signature honey bottles, which had to be imported from China. With global supply chains disrupted, the company was at a standstill.

"We asked ourselves, 'How can we present a world-class innovative product in a world-class innovative way?' recalled Richard Duncan of Niue Honey Company. "Our unique bottles set us apart, but when the supply from China stopped due to the lockdown, we were left scrambling for solutions. That's when PACER Plus stepped in."

PACER Plus provided timely assistance. Through its DEC Work Programme, PACER Plus helped Niue Honey secure the designs and models necessary to produce their bottles closer to home. This collaboration not only salvaged the company's ability to package their honey but also helped them establish a new bottle manufacturer in New Zealand.

"PACER Plus really came through for us. They helped us get our bottles made in time, allowing Niue Honey to re-engage with the market. Now we have a New Zealand-based manufacturer producing our bottles, which has been a game-changer," said Duncan.

With their packaging challenges resolved, Niue Honey quickly regained momentum in the gourmet honey market. In New Zealand, their product was already well-established, but 2024 saw their expansion into Australia, where Niue Honey is now available at Whole Foods Australia (link here). Niue Honey also has plans to enter the United Kingdom by early 2025.

"We're working through the final paperwork to access the UK market," Duncan shared. "When we do, this will be the first time an agricultural product from Niue reaches the UK. It's exciting, as our honey tells a story—not just about our bees but about Niue and the wider Pacific."

Niue Honey is much more than a luxury product; it represents a significant contribution to agriculture and food security.

Beyond honey production, the company also exports pure, healthy queen bees to help repopulate bee colonies worldwide.

"Our bees are liquid gold," Duncan said proudly. "We have the opportunity to breed and export queens to other Pacific islands, supporting food security and agricultural productivity across the region."

Award-winning New Zealand chef Peter Gordon has partnered with the Niue Honey Company, using it in a number of his dishes.

This sense of purpose extends beyond Niue. As Duncan explained, the company envisions creating livelihood opportunities across the Pacific by reintroducing beekeeping on other islands.

"Rebooting beekeeping as a livelihood generator, but more importantly, as a way to increase agricultural productivity—that's a game-changer for agriculture in the region."

Award-winning New Zealand chef Peter Gordon, a champion of Niue Honey, stumbled upon the company's product during a visit to the island.

Known as the "godfather of fusion cuisine," Chef Gordon has since used Niue Honey in various dishes and partnered with the company to help protect Niue's unique bees through the Pacific Bee Sanctuary initiative.

With PACER Plus's support, Niue Honey is more than just a success story; it's a testament to the power of regional cooperation and resilience. As Duncan put it, "The success of Niue Honey is not just about us—it's about the Pacific, our bees, and the future of agriculture in the region."