Master beekeeper Dave Campbell plants one of the first seedlings.

The first of more than half a million manuka trees aimed at contributing towards the Government's projected export goal of $1.2 billion of manuka honey by 2026 was planted in Northland on Friday.

The first 55 hectares of 500 ha of Te Roroa whenua ear-tagged for honey production will be planted with 55,000 seedlings at Aranga, 40 kms north west of Dargaville by the end of the month.

The initiative is in partnership between Te Roroa, Manuka Honey and the Crown who has provided the seedlings through Manuka Farming New Zealand as part of the Government's one billion tree programme.

One of New Zealand's largest Healthcare companies, Manuka Health has been working with Te Roroa Honey for the past 18 months providing beekeeping and marketing services and assisting the landowners in improving productivity and revenues from their land.

READ MORE:

* Is manuka honey really a 'superfood' for treating colds, allergies and ...

* Millions of manuka seedlings released to boost honey industry

* Manuka Health opens new multi-million dollar Wairarapa factory ...

This relationship has already seen an iwi beekeeper trained and employed by the company.

Ashley Davenport says learning beekeeping and working on his whenua is important to him.

"It's important to me because of the relationship I have through my whakapapa (family connections) and I am learning to be able to give back to the people.

"At first I didn't know what to expect, but as the season played out, the more I learnt about the bees, the more I came to enjoy it and I do care about their well being.

Elliot Pike (Kauri Park Nurseries), Andrew Wearmouth (Kauri Park Nurseries), Erana Clarkson (Te Roroa), Dave Campbell (Manuka Health), Alan (Sonny) Nesbit (chairman of the Te Roroa Whatu Ora and Manawhenua), Snow Tane (general manager Te Roroa), Rob Shemmings (Manuka Health).

"It also give me a sense of pride."

Te Roroa Honey was formed in 2014 and already has an partnership with Trade Aid as their exclusive supplier.

Honey from the first Aranga plantings will be harvested in three to five years. Planting will continue over the next 10 years to cover more than 500ha.

It is expected 10 tonnes plus of high grade manuka honey will be harvested on average each season by that time.

Northland's manuka nectar is naturally high in Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which means it produces high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO) activity in the manuka honey making it top quality product.

Andrew Wearmouth with trays of manuka seedlings.

Manuka Health's master beekeeper David Campbell says the partnership is exciting because it's generating regional economic benefits/employment and building enduring partnerships between Maori landowners and business.

"This will build further manuka resource for future honey production in Northland. It's good for the environment and great for the bees."

Business Manager of Te Roroa Honey, Erana Clarkson says the partnership builds the iwi's role and responsibility as kaitiaki - looking after its land and people.

"Manuka honey has exciting growth potential and by planting our land we grow our skills from hive management and honey production even further."

Beekeeper Ashley Davenport enjoys the job.

She is excited about the future.

It is hoped the seedlings which were sourced from the Far North will have an extended flowering period in their new location which will also help to increase production.

The Northland suppliers Kauri Park Nurseries from Kaiwaka will also manage the planting of the seedlings.

"They have the expertise to see the young trees are set up correctly," Clarkson says.