This New Zealand company has saved over 60 million bees.
As New Zealand's largest producer of authentic UMF™ certified Mānuka Honey, Comvita has an ambitious goal to be a global leader in natural health and wellbeing using the power of bees, and to also donate 1% of its profits to causes that deliver social and environmental impact around the world.
Since its founding by Claude Stratford and Alan Bougen in 1974, Comvita has become a world leader in Mānuka honey, bringing the unique benefits of this honey and propolis to people around the globe. What began with a few hives has grown to around 20,000 across New Zealand, delivering natural, UMF™ certified products like honey-infused cough syrups, lozenges, olive leaf extracts, and advanced wound care solutions.
At the heart of Comvita’s mission is its commitment to the environment, from safeguarding bee populations to taking action on climate change. Through projects like Saving the Wild Beekeeping Project, the company has saved over 60 million bees by restoring habitats, strategically placing hives along wildlife corridors, and helping communities develop sustainable beekeeping practices.
Comvita’s climate action extends to planting Mānuka forests that capture carbon, foster biodiversity, and enhance water and soil quality. Since 2017, they’ve planted 15 Mānuka forests spanning 6,300 hectares in the North Island and planted 40,000 native trees at their Bay of Plenty campus.
Comvita also prioritises clean energy and community support, with nearly 1,000 solar panels powering its facilities and 1% of profits going to charities like Saving the Wild, Save the Kiwi, and Garden to Table, all of which align with its environmental and social values.
Research fuels Comvita’s innovation, with millions invested each year to explore Mānuka honey’s potential health benefits. In collaboration with the University of Otago and New Zealand’s High-Value Nutrition Science Challenge, Comvita’s first clinical trial of its Lepteridine® Mānuka honey has shown promise for digestive health.
The company is also investigating how Mānuka honey might help ease eczema and combat resistant infections in people with cystic fibrosis - a testament to its ongoing mission to harness the natural benefits of honey for human health.
In 2024, Comvita achieved global B Corp certification, recognising its commitment to sustainable, ethical practices across its entire business, from employee benefits to supply chain practices and environmentally responsible packaging.
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