A Manuka honey venture is being planned for the Far North.
Under a joint venture, the honey producer, Watson & Son, and Te Runanga O Te Rarawa are to set up a training college which hopes to produce 200 bee-keepers in five years.
Watson & Son is providing $500,000 in seed funding.
Graduates will be bonded to Watson & Son for a set period as employees.
The venture also plans to set up a centre to research and develop manuka honey's antibacterial qualities.
Te Runanga o Te Rarawa says manuka honey produced in Northland has high levels of bioactive compounds. The region has large areas of manuka scrub.