In the shadows of Te Mata Peak in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, the Arataki Honey Visitor Centre makes for a sweet visit. With 20,000 hives throughout New Zealand, Arataki is the Southern Hemisphere’s top beekeeping establishment. The interactive visitor center hosts people of all ages and serves as the company’s showcase for the honey brand. Come smell, feel, see, discover and taste the beekeeping experience.
Throughout your visit to Arataki, you will meet the bees in the interactive honeybee center and observe them in large glass hives. Look for the queen bees, recognizable by the colored dots on their backs.
Explore how bees live, and learn what their role is in the food chain for humans. See the many products they produce, from delicious honey to natural health and beauty products.
Dress in a beekeeper’s uniform, experience life from a bee’s point of view and learn how honey is made. Finally, savor a free tasting of 10 distinct varieties of pure Arataki Honey. Don’t miss the extensive gift shop for honey to take home, as well as a variety of locally made, honeybee-based home and health products.
A team member will meet your group upon arrival to give you the history of the center and directions to the various facilities and activities. You are then welcome to take a free, self-guided, drop-in tour. More in-depth, fully guided group tours are available for a fee. The paid tour includes a free pot of Arataki Classic Clover Honey to take home.
After your tour, explore pretty Havelock North. The thriving arts community welcomes visitors to its wide variety of boutique shops, cafés, restaurants and wineries. From here, it’s an easy drive to the Tukituki River valley, the hiking trails of Te Mata Peak and Ocean and Waimarama beaches.
Find the Arataki Honey Visitor Center in the village of Havelock North. It is 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Hastings and just over 14 miles (23 kilometers) from Napier. The site is open 7 days a week.
