Robert Harper
Expertise Beekeeper, Honey Maker and Problem Solver
I manage the beekeeping and extraction side, organize staff, order materials and generally fix anything that needs fixing.
As a beekeeper I get to work with many interesting landowners in the Marlborough Sounds community, tucked in the best remote locations, where our bees forage in untouched native bush. I love seeing beehives improve in condition and respond as a result of the work we do. I love talking about bees and honey and anything related to beekeeping, preferably while drinking coffee and eating Sherrington Manuka and Kanuka Honey spread on freshly baked, buttered bread.
When you can’t get hold of me, I am either playing with big boy toys like diggers and chainsaws, or I have gone fishing or biking in the serene Marlborough Sounds right by our doorstep.
Sabine Harper
Skilled Multi Tasker and Experienced Challenge Solver
I am Rob’s counterpart and sidekick and work behind the scenes of the operation. At Sherrington Honey I make sure your enquiry gets answered and that your delicious honey orders get to you on time. Basically, I do all the jobs that fall outside the physical beekeeping. That means sales, exporting, marketing and Risk Management (RMP) rolled into one to ensure that you receive the finest quality of Sherrington Honey.
My favourite honey is currently the Sherrington Wildflower Honey – it is so versatile and works with so many things, on toast, in my coffee, and especially on my pork roast.
Call in after work and you will probably find me with a honey sweetened hot beverage and an engaging book in my favourite cozy seat by the fire. During free moments, I love hiking and the natural environment.
Our Beekeeping Team
Skilled Craftsmen - A Team Of Many Talents
We have a small dedicated beekeeping team with varying degrees of experience including Rob’s experience of over 30 years. Our beekeepers are involved in most processes of the operation – there is a lot more than just honey to beekeeping. They make sure that hives are fit and healthy by providing them with ideal conditions for the time of year. Work includes overwintering, feeding, planning and executing disease control, building and repairing equipment, rendering of beeswax, harvesting and processing of honey, packing and labelling.
To ease the pressure over the summer we also have a processing team dedicated to extracting the honey to the highest food safety standards and keeping the machines operating.
If you are looking for a job over the summer months contact us to see if there are positions available.
Our Community
Gratitude To Our Farmers And Landowners
Let’s not forget a most important and integral part of our operation: the landowners who allow us to place hives on their property. We are so grateful to them and value the relationships we have built up over the years.
If you have a property in the Marlborough Sounds and would like to host some ofour beehives, please contact us to discuss your options.
