Canaan Honey

John and Janice Brandon have operated as commercial beekeepers in Whanganui since 1982 - now 36 years. Their artesian boutique factory and Whanganui honey shop are always a picture with flowers at the entrance welcoming visitors.

Such is the longevity of the business they now have second generation customers; parents bringing their children to learn about bees and taste from the honey sampling bar as they themselves were brought to the honey shop by their parents. Primary schools bring their students, secondary schools their foreign students, and clubs their members for a chance to learn about the natural marvel that is the humble honey bee and the nectar from the gods they produce.

The Canaan Honey Shop sells a variety of flavours of honey including Whanganui City gardens, wild flower honey from the wider Whanganui region, flavoursome bush honey, the famous Manuka honey and Blue Borage honey from Molesworth Station at the top of the South Island. In addition, they retail a range of ointments and gift items inspired by bees. Their latest is bees wax wraps.

Their son Michael Brandon works alongside them with his own hives. As well as selling honey and offering bee hives for sale, his business includes Whanganui hive rental. Home and lifestyle block owners are able to have a beehive or two at their properties and receive a part of the yearly honey crop from the hives. An alternative opportunity is hive share where people are able to make a one off "investment" in purchase of a beehive that is remains as part of the Canaan Honey business. They get 7kg of honey a year for a lifetime with a one off investment purchase of a bee hive.

The honey shop operates for 3 days a month. If you are really running out or have a visitor you would like to show around, they will open especially for you - all it takes is a phone call. The shop, factory, and learning centre are available year around for educational visits. See their website for normal opening hours.

John and Janice Brandon 06 345 5350

Michael Brandon 021 728889

See our TradeMe bee hives for sale listing.