people

Michael Woods is an Industrial designer with 35 years experience in the manufacturing industry. He brings to the company wide ranging experience in design and manufacturing technology. His extended family have been involved in beekeeping for many decades in the South Island of New Zealand, from the early 1920's through to the late 1960's.

"I value very much the natural beauty of the country I have been given to I live in. I have camped, walked, tramped, climbed, skied and sailed in many parts of it with family and friends. Here we have a diverse range of ecosystems and plant life that ranges through coastal scrub and low-land grasslands until it finally extends to high-country native mountain bush. Our honey comes from these varied areas of flora.

I stand in awe of the natural world and its precise, function-specific design. I do think we too easily forget the underlying mathematics and process time required to reproduce what we see about us in the natural world. There is no doubt in my mind that each person needs to do what they can to protect the ecology of our world for future generations.

Kiwo is now an established company, exporting to five countries. We have a systematic approach to the supply of honey. Both the partners in this company come from a high-tech background where we manufacture to high tolerances in controlled conditions. This level of quality, accuracy and attention to detail are essential to honey production.

Beyond hi-tech, we also have an enjoyable sense of getting back to nature. We partner with experienced beekeepers, bees themselves in fact, and a multi-million-year-old evolutionary process to provide our customers with high quality nutritional food.

Contact: michael.woods@kiwo.nz

Ernest was born in Germany and developed an interest in the countryside (wide open spaces) when his parents took him to Scandinavia for 25 summers.

He found the ideal combination of lifestyle and space (nature) in Christchurch, New Zealand where he has resided for over 20 years. Ernest is a keen trout fisherman, water enthusiast and urban beekeeper. He has worked in a variety of senior roles in the technology industry with a focus on quality and reliability.

With an ever increasing demand for premium New Zealand food his focus has turned to high-grade food products. "The future of food production in New Zealand for niche markets with high demands on quality, authenticity and health benefits has never looked brighter". And with that in mind Ernest turned to beekeeping and honey production with enthusiasm.

He is a trained beekeeper, owns his own hives and has become certified to maintain high health standards in hives. The combination of his European heritage together with the clean green surrounds in his host country has resulted in the founding of Kiwo Ltd. "Kiwo will deliver the finest natural honey products to the most discerning customers all over the world. The opportunities and challenges of producing and supplying top grade honey to discerning customers is immensely enjoyable".

Mark together with Ernest Kilian form the Advisory board for Kiwo. Mark focusses on operational and strategic governance. Most recently he worked with the Business Advisory team of KPMG as National Managing Partner with a leadership role across New Zealand.