Therapeutic value restores hill country Cultivation of the manuka tree has become a priority on hillsides from Nelson to Waikato. The manuka tree, a member of the myrtle family, is the basis for the sharply growing industry in the production of therapeutic manuka honey. The health benefits of the manuka tree (pictured) were introduced to the rest of the world by Captain Cook who dubbed it the tea tree. The demand for manuka honey has created another cooperative opportunity in the form of share production between farmers and apiarists. In return for allocating blocks of land for the location of…