Our Story and Approach
Science, Ethics and Stewardship from New Zealand
Manuka Natural is a New Zealand-based, family-founded company with a long-standing focus on natural skincare, wellness products and bioactive natural ingredients—particularly those derived from native New Zealand species such as mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium).
From the beginning, our work has been guided by a simple principle: natural products should be properly understood, responsibly sourced and supported by evidence wherever possible.
This principle continues to shape how we select products, conduct research and communicate with our customers.
Origins and Experience
Manuka Natural was founded by Bill Gluyas in 2001, following earlier work under the names manuhealth.com and manu.co.nz. Its origins, however, go back considerably further.
After completing a Diploma in Agriculture at Lincoln College—then a constituent college of the University of Canterbury—Bill began working in agricultural research near Hamilton in New Zealand’s North Island.
After five years in research, he returned in 1980 to the family farm near the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. During this time, he came to know many local Māori families whose knowledge of and connection to the area extended back through generations.
An Introduction to Traditional Māori Knowledge
Bill was particularly fortunate to meet Diggeress Te Kanawa, a highly respected Māori elder and renowned master weaver.
Diggeress was the daughter of Dame Rangimārie Hetet, one of New Zealand’s most celebrated Māori weavers. Dame Rangimārie played a leading role in preserving and revitalising traditional Māori weaving and was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1992 for her services to Māori arts.
Diggeress continued her mother’s work by teaching traditional weaving and passing Māori knowledge to future generations.
On one memorable occasion, Diggeress took Bill and others for a walk through an area of native forest, pointing out trees and plants that had traditionally been valued and used by Māori.
During their conversation, Bill asked her about the persistent discomfort he had experienced between his toes since his school days. She replied, “Oh, you use mānuka for that,” as though it were common knowledge.
For Bill, as a European New Zealander who had grown up in the South Island, this was an entirely new idea. His education had focused on conventional European medicines, and he knew very little about rongoā Māori or the traditional uses of New Zealand’s native plants.
Encouraged by that conversation, Bill began using pure mānuka oil as part of his personal skincare routine. His experience prompted him to learn more about mānuka and other native ingredients with a long history of traditional use in New Zealand.
A Treasured Connection
A traditional Māori kete woven by either Dame Rangimārie Hetet or her daughter, Diggeress Te Kanawa, and presented to our family when we left the Waitomo district to return to Christchurch. It remains a treasured reminder of our time there and of the remarkable people we were privileged to know. Photograph © Bill Gluyas.
Manuka Natural founder Bill Gluyas inspecting mānuka growing in New Zealand.
The Beginning of Manuka Natural
As the internet developed, Bill recognised an opportunity to introduce distinctive New Zealand products to people around the world.
He searched publications from New Zealand universities and research institutions to learn more about mānuka oil, mānuka honey and other natural ingredients. This practical experience and scientific research helped form the foundation of Manuka Natural and the Research & Insights section of this website.
The original aim was not simply to sell individual products. It was to make genuine New Zealand products more widely accessible while sharing information that helped customers understand their ingredients, traditional background and supporting research.
For more than 26 years, we have continued developing Manuka Natural as a trusted source of carefully selected New Zealand skincare and wellness products.
Our range includes products made with mānuka oil, mānuka honey, green-lipped mussel, propolis and deer velvet antler.
Education Before Promotion
As international interest in mānuka honey, propolis, essential oils and other natural ingredients has grown, so too has the volume of information—and misinformation—surrounding them.
Our focus has increasingly moved towards education and interpretation:
- translating scientific research into plain English
- explaining what research does and does not show
- helping people make informed and realistic decisions
This philosophy underpins our Research & Insights content, where scientific studies are discussed in context rather than presented as isolated claims.
Ethics, Sustainability and Stewardship
Long before sustainability became a common marketing term, care for the land and its ecosystems was central to this project.
In 1984, concerns about the long-term survival of native plant species on the family farm led to the permanent protection of 35 acres of native forest through a Queen Elizabeth II Open Space Covenant.
This covenant ensures that the land remains protected in perpetuity, regardless of future ownership.
In recognition of this contribution, Bill Gluyas was made a Life Member of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust in 1986.
Queen Elizabeth II Open Space Covenant certificate protecting native New Zealand forest in perpetuity.
Over the decades, this protected area has demonstrated extensive natural regeneration, illustrating the resilience of native ecosystems when given time and protection.
This experience informs our broader view that ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility are long-term commitments, not short-term claims.
A Research-Led Perspective
The development of Manuka Natural products and educational content has been informed by research from leading New Zealand institutions, including:
- the University of Waikato, including the work of Dr Peter Molan
- Lincoln College, then part of the University of Canterbury
- the University of Otago’s Department of Microbiology
- the Cawthron Institute
Rather than presenting research findings in isolation, our aim is to interpret and contextualise them by explaining their relevance, limitations and practical implications.
Bibliographies of published research are maintained separately for readers who wish to explore the original scientific literature in greater depth.
A Balanced View of Natural Products
We do not view natural products as universal solutions or substitutes for appropriate medical care.
Instead, we believe they may be valuable when they are:
- sourced ethically and responsibly
- understood within the limits of current evidence
- used appropriately and realistically
This balanced perspective shapes both our educational content and our approach to selecting products.
Our Purpose Today
Today, our purpose remains the same: to share distinctive New Zealand products, respect the knowledge and traditions that first inspired us, and help customers make informed choices about natural skincare and everyday wellbeing.
This page explains why Manuka Natural exists and how our decisions are made.
Our Research & Insights section explains what scientific research shows, while individual articles explore specific ingredients, topics and studies in greater depth.
Together, these resources form a framework built on experience, evidence and stewardship.