Our Story

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Dale's Honey was started in 1956 by John Dale in Port Chalmers from a couple of hives in his backyard. From there, his operation spread to Lawrence before settling under the Rock and Pillar range in Middlemarch where the family business is continued today. John's passion and knowledge was passed to his son and now to Adam, who continues his grandfather's beekeeping legacy as Dale's Honey today. 

Our approach is grounded in experience, with a strong focus on healthy hives and lasting relationships with the landowners we work alongside. By working closely with the land and those who care for it, we are proud to produce honey that reflects Otago's seasons and landscapes. As beekeepers, our work is shaped by the land around us. As fellow adventurers, we spend most of our free time outdoors. It's where we unwind, ground, challenge and recharge. Protecting these environments isn't optional to us, it's essential. The health of our bees, our livelihoods and wild places in which we spend our free time are all dependent on a robust ecosystem, so we take pride in doing our part to keep some of our wild places thriving for generations to come. 

We are involved in every step of our operation, from raising our own queens to honey collection. With a small but experienced team, we hold our work to the same high standard as the honey we produce.