Michael Howes

Founding Editor, CEO, Master Beekeeper, Botanist & Honey Guru Instagram: @australiasmanuka LinkedIn: michael-howes-44a53948 Michael oversees all aspects of the Australia's Manuka business, from beekeeping to final production of products as well as managing international certification and export. After becoming interested in beekeeping at high school Michael has kept bees ever since. Establishing Australia's Manuka AKA Tyagarah Apiaries in 1996 with his partner Kat, selling honey locally to shops and friends, from two hives. Michael has grown the business to employ 10 people, care for over 1,000 beehives and export the highest quality and strongest MGO honey globally. He studied Botany and Zoology at University in New Zealand and later Natural Therapies in Melbourne. Growing up in New Zealand gave Michael an early understanding of Manuka plants. His interests and studies have also given him a keen understanding and knowledge of plants, ecosystems and natural spaces. This enabled Michael to work with University of Sunshine Coast and the Oz Honey Project to identify and map the Australian Manuka honey species on the East Coast of Australia. He also assisted in identifying the species which produced the strong MGO honey. Michael is committed to discovering new benefits of the bioactive compounds in the honey and is dedicated sharing these advances with all. Michael loves bushwalking, playing music and spending time with his grandchildren. As one of the founding members and Australian Manuka honey specialists, Michael is on the Advisory Committee for the Australian Manuka Honey Association AMHA.

Apr 27 2023

UMF vs MGO Ratings for Manuka Honey

What is Manuka Honey? Manuka honey is produced by nectar gathered from the Leptospermum family of plants. Manuka is the Maori name for Leptospermum scoparium. Leptospermum scoparium is found in both Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand was first to successfully market the benefits of Manuka honey. Manuka honey is unique because it contains antibacterial […]

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Apr 3 2023

Why is Manuka honey so expensive?

How long has Manuka honey been around for? Manuka honey or Leptospermum honey originating in Australia has been around for centuries. First Nations people from Australia have probably been using Leptospermum honey produced by native stingless bees for over 40,000 years. This highly medicinal honey is used for various ailments such as sore throats and

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Feb 17 2023

Top 10 Benefits of Manuka Honey

What is Manuka honey? Manuka Honey is a medicinal honey produced in Australia and New Zealand. It has a wide range of health and healing benefits from topical wound healing to gut health. When bees forage on the beautiful pink and white blossoms of the Leptospermum genus of plants they produce this exceptional honey. Bees

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Australias Manuka Honey Eczema Cream Blog

Oct 22 2022

How to Make Your Own Manuka Honey Eczema Cream

Can I use Manuka Honey as an Eczema Cream? The short answer is, “yes!” Manuka Honey may be delicious, but it is far more than just a sweetener for your tea or to drizzle over your cereal. Manuka Honey contains special bioactive properties that help ward off bacteria, acts as an anti-inflammatory and assists in

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Apr 3 2018

Bee Science Latest News

Bee Swarms Work Like Giant Brains, Where Each Bee Is a Nerve Cell (Bee Science Shows) On their own, bee brains are fairly remarkable things, although human computing power still trumps them. But new (bee science) research suggests that individual members of a swarm behave surprisingly like neurons in a human brain.] Not only does

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Honey poured into jar by solar energy powered machine

Oct 27 2015

We are off the grid at Byron Eco Park

100% off the grid honey production at Byron Eco Park Australia’s Manuka, now proudly runs its honey factory, processing and packaging plant, Tyagarah Apiaries, totally off the grid by solar power. We now can operate all our machines, both single and 3 phase, 24 /7 without any interruption due to the state of the art system

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