February 5, 2018 - The New Zealand Show - Chocolate, Manuka Honey, Wine

NewZealand (or Aotearoa – land of the long white cloud), truly is one of the most picturesque and photogenic places on earth. A small island nation of just over 4.5 million people, New Zealand is made up of two major land masses (North Islandand South Island) and a number of smaller islands located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

The country is made up of some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, from vast mountain ranges, steaming volcanoes to sweeping coastlines. It is a natural playground for thrill seekers and adventurers and those who simply want to visit for the culture and landscapes.

New Zealand is also renowned for its food and wine, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, succulent lamb and venison, sustainable fish such as mussels and salmon, Manuka honey, kiwi fruit and so much more.  Its artisans, growers and manufacturers are creative and forward thinking, with a passion for the land and sustainability, a trait passed down from the native Maori culture, whose care for the environment is unparalleled.

Tonight we hear from two New Zealanders and their craft, and get an update on the wine scene. Pour yourself and glass of NZ wine, sit back and armchair travel with us as we experience a taste of this magical land.

Nau mai!

Welcome

MATT WHITTAKER

Head Of International Markets

Whittaker’s Chocolates

Matt working with Solomon Islanders

Whittaker’s has been New Zealand’s most iconic brand for 122 years. The market leading chocolate company produces world class chocolate, ensuring premium quality by controlling the whole chocolate making process from beans to bar at their one factory in Porirua, New Zealand. A family company, Whittaker’s is currently directed by third generation Whittaker brothers Andrew and Brian. The next generation of Whittakers, brother and sister Matt and Holly, work in the business as Chief Sales Officer and Marketing Manager respectively.

For the last 6 consecutive years Whittaker’s has been awarded as New Zealand’s Most Trusted Brand AND New Zealand’s Most Loved Brand in the Reader’s Digest and Colmar Brunton annual surveys.

Whittaker’s innovative flavors and premium quality chocolate has seen the company become market leader, besting multinational brands in the New Zealand market.

______________________.....___________________

Karl Gradon

Chief Executive Officer

NZ Manuka Group

History

Phil Caskey established New Zealand's first specialist Mānuka honey company in 1996. Recognising the unique properties of Mānuka, Phil was integral in developing the now globally recognised UMF® Mānuka honey purity and quality system.

Through his work with the University of Waikato in 2000, and a medical device company in the UK, Phil created and registered the first Mānuka honey medical device in the world. The honey wound care dressing is still a popular product in most medical kits and hospitals today.

After selling Apimed Medical Honey Ltd in 2003, Phil took a break from the industry. However, in 2011, a Māori landowner contacted him and asked for his help to bring some fairness and transparency into an industry that had become over-run by some beekeepers taking honey from the land without offering a fair return to the landowners. 

With a new processing facility built, Phil quickly set about establishing long-term joint venture agreements with Māori landowners in 2012. These soon became tripartide agreements with the beekeepers ensuring an open and fair return for all.

From this solid base, the future of New Zealand Mānuka is built.

The Honey 

The meaning behind this name also defines the backbone to the honey business as ‘Mel’ comes from the Latin word meaning ‘honey’ while ‘Ora’ comes from the Māori word meaning ‘well-being’.

Drawing on the traditional Māori uses of the Mānuka plant, they have developed these incredible products containing the same natural properties that have been prized for hundreds of years.

Today, the connection with Māori people remains strong as landowner partners provide the land on which the Mānuka plantations thrive. The local community is the workforce from the beekeepers to the plantation workers, the process operators to the office administrators.

About Manuka’s health benefits

Natural alternative treatments have become especially important due to the indiscriminate use of broad spectrum antibiotics—resulting in drug-resistant microbes that are extremely difficult to treat and cure. Over the last 20 years, a range of scientific studies have been done to understand what makes Mānuka such a natural powerhouse and how it can help the body inside and out.

*          Natural anti-inflammatory with 16 phenolic compounds that protect against oxidative damage.[1] 

*          High in hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal that help the body’s immune system fight bacteria.[2]

*          Effective antimicrobial agent to help with a range of topical bacteria[3]

Helps inhibit common stomach bacterias like H.Pylori that can cause digestion problems and stomach irritation[4]

*          There are a range of different grades of our manuka honey:

UMF 5+ is great for everyday wellbeing and is perfect in smoothies, tonics and teas

UMF 10+ is handy to keep in your medicine cabinet for when you need something stronger

UMF 15+ is our highest grade for special needs such as stomach problems or topical needs.

The Skin Care Range

Manuka Secrets™ is developed and produced by skincare partner, Manuka Lab. Together, they bring you a stunning range of beauty and skincare products including serums, face creams, cleansers and more. Everything you need for a complete beauty and skincare routine.  The hero ingredient – Mānuka honey.

David Strada

Marketing Manager USA

New Zealand Winemakers

David Strada is a self-employed, San Francisco-based consultant to the wine, food, and hospitality industries. He represents the New Zealand Winegrowers across the US. In that capacity he is responsible for media and public relations, market development, and educational and promotional programs.

"The NZ wine industry is in a very strong position with all the building blocks in place in terms of knowledge, organisation, communication, enthusiasm, talent and terroir (and brand recognition) and it is fantastic to see wineries and growers collaborating together for the common good, under the umbrella of sustainability"

Monty Waldin, chateaumonty.com, UK

New Zealand’s wine growing sustainability recognized internationally

New Zealand has been celebrated for sustainable wine growing practices at the 2017 Drinks Business Green Awards in London.  Up against wine growing countries from all over the world, Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) won the Green Initiative of the Year Award.

Sweet success for New Zealand wine

Results released today show New Zealand wines have triumphed at the prestigious UK-based International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). New Zealand scooped not only the show’s top Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc Trophies, but a slew of top medals that included a record number of dessert wines.