News Release
April 7, 2003

SARS Scare Boosts Comvita’s Propolis Sales to Hong Kong

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong has resulted in a scramble for Comvita New Zealand’s propolis products (click here) in the former British territory.

Comvita’s new Hong Kong-based regional manager, Sam Tsoi, says his countrymen are starting to recognise that propolis helps strengthen the immune system.

Speaking from the natural health products company’s Bay of Plenty head office, Tsoi reports that the health authorities in Hong Kong are suggesting people take responsibility for their own health and take steps to build up their immunity to viruses - as well as advising residents to wear masks and not venture outdoors.

“People are learning they are more at risk if their immune system is deficient,” says Tsoi. “As propolis’ reputation for supporting the immune system becomes better known, Hong Kong residents are stocking up on it.”

Comvita reports its personnel are working overtime to meet the sudden demand for propolis in Hong Kong. Already, it has despatched four major air consignments of the bee product to that destination. The product is available in tablet, capsule and liquid form and also used in cough elixir and throat lozenges.

Comvita’s CEO Graeme Boyd says propolis is one of the company’s major export products to Japan and other Asian destinations. However, exports of the popular bee product to Hong Kong have been comparatively low until now.

“It’s no coincidence that propolis exports have suddenly taken off to that destination. Since the SARS outbreak, we have been flying pallet-loads of propolis out to Hong Kong,” says Boyd.

“There’s a strong conviction among Asians that propolis has very strong immune-supporting properties. This undoubtedly accounts for the upsurge of interest in propolis among Asians – not only overseas but here (in New Zealand) also.”

Dr Caroline Davy, an MD who provides consultancy services to Comvita, says propolis is often referred to as nature’s best defence.

“Comvita’s propolis comes from unspoilt areas of New Zealand where certain deciduous trees such as willow, birch and poplar produce natural sap and resins with high flavonoid levels,” she says.

“It’s actually the concentration and variety of flavonoids which give propolis its exceptional health benefits. Much of the research surrounding flavonoids at present is centered on their antioxidant effects and the natural protection they offer.

Note: Anyone concerned about the SARS virus or possible contact since travelling should seek immediate professional advice from a doctor.

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Publication Date: 20 Jan 2003
Title: First Honey Collection On Behalf Of East Coast Iwi A Success
Source: Comvita

The first collection of honey from 300 beehives supplied by Comvita New Zealand to East Coast iwi took place today. Some 600 boxes of active manuka honey were uplifted from East Cape’s Waipiro Bay – a top result according to Comvita.

Chris Elmsly, Comvita’s operations manager, says the hives each yielded around 40kgs of honey.

“This represents a good start for this ground-breaking project,” says Elmsly.

He refers to the joint arrangement Comvita has with Ngati Porou iwi to foster a beekeeping industry around Waipiro Bay – to produce active manuka honey on otherwise unproductive land. It’s believed the new venture has the potential to generate substantial returns for all participants.

The East Cape project began with the delivery of 300 hives, along with their resident bees, to strategic locations around Waipiro Bay. The hives, valued at approximately $40,000, were sourced from the South island to avoid varroa mite problems.

In a unique arrangement between Comvita and Ngati Porou iwi, landowners will receive economic returns on the East Cape hives. Ultimately, the hapu at Waipiro Bay will purchase the hives and run them as a stand-alone operation. Hapu individuals interested in beekeeping will be trained with Comvita’s assistance once they have been identified.

It’s not known yet whether the honey collected from Waipiro bay will have the unique manuka factor (UMF), a special antibacterial property unique to manuka honey. This won’t be known until after the honey has been extracted and tested.

Extraction of the honey will be carried out at beekeeper Stephen Weenink’s Bay of Plenty extraction facility. Processing and packaging will take place at Comvita’s Paengaroa manufacturing plant.

Comvita’s CEO, Graeme Boyd, says the Waipiro Bay result reflects the season the company is enjoying nationally.

“Yields are expected to be up to 30 per cent higher than in previous years,” he says. “All areas from the Coromandel through to East Cape, National Park and Wanganui are producing exceptionally well.”

Boyd says the national result is pleasing following last season’s disastrous outcome which saw manuka honey shortages.

“The positive start to the East Cape project bodes well for duplicating this (project) with other iwi in areas where manuka thrives.”

These areas include Northland and parts of the central North Island.

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Publication Date: 17 Dec 2002
Title: Comvita Women’s Beach Volleyballers Are On Track For Another Good Year
Source: Comvita

The Comvita Women’s Beach Volleyball team of Lucy Todd and Susan Blundell are on track for success in 2003 after an impressive first year together on the New Zealand and international circuit.

This year saw them winning the last two AA tournaments in Auckland and Tauranga and becoming the Oceania champions. They also secured a creditable sixth placing at the Asian Championship tournament. This was the highlight of a stimulating but exhaustive overseas tour that saw them compete in tournaments on four continents.

“We’re now ready to take on the major New Zealand tour AAA events in the new year in New Plymouth, Whakatane, Mt Maunganui, Waiheke Is and the NZ Open in Auckland,” says Todd.

“These major AAA events are also attended by top international teams and we are on track to give them a good run for their money. “

This local and overseas experience has them in good form for the year ahead, particularly with 2003 being the first year the World Series results count towards 2004 Olympic qualification.

Todd says securing Comvita New Zealand as a major sponsor has given them the exposure to the elite international competition they so badly need if they’re to foot it with the world’s best.

“While the standard of competition is getting higher in New Zealand, nothing compares to international competition,” she says.

“There are some good players in New Zealand, but it’s the international competition we really need. We couldn’t get it without Comvita’s sponsorship.”
New Zealand tournaments have the pair playing six games a day, and on tour internationally, up to three games a day. This, combined with a punishing training regime that sees them on the beach and in the gym most days, has them at peak performance.

National beach volleyball coach Mike Dudson predicts his charges are going places.

“Placing sixth in Asia shows they’re up there with some of the best,” says Dudson. “They’re developing a formidable partnership to compete internationally.”

It’s appropriate that the Bay of Plenty is ‘home turf’ for the women. Blundell says the BOP is well known for its beach volleyball as it holds a quite a number of AA and AAA tournaments.

“It’s great for us being locals too as it means we have the home-ground advantage,” she says. “We always receive wonderful support here.”

Being their own managers also adds to Todd and Blundell’s workload. They organise their own schedules, video analysis of games, sponsors and media, and hold coaching clinics and coaching programmes in schools.

While their 2003 international calendar has not yet been finalised, the two plan to head off to Europe in May, followed by several tournaments in Asia and the US before hopefully qualifying for the end-of-year world championships in Brazil.

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