Tristan Vine – Tūhoe, Ngāti Kuri
In 2019 Tristan co-founded Mānuka Performance alongside his business partner, Jeremy Gardiner, of Ngati Awa descent. Their venture into the world of nutraceutical manufacturing has been a journey of passion and dedication.
Mānuka Performance specialises in creating high-value sports energy, recovery, and lifestyle products for both humans and animals. They focus on health, chronic disease, and performance, adding significant value to New Zealand’s native honey industry, particularly Mānuka honey.
At Mānuka Performance they pride themselves on their extensive range of products. “We are not just about Mānuka honey; we are about enhancing the entire native honey industry of New Zealand”, says Tristan.
Their strong R&D division is at the forefront of significant projects involving rongoā (traditional Māori medicine), mātauranga (Māori knowledge), biomedical, and health research. This commitment to innovation ensures that their products are both effective and rooted in indigenous wisdom.
Operating a globally facing company from Whakatāne has been a strategic advantage rather than a hindrance. “Our lean operation and proximity to global markets have facilitated our growth” says Tristan.
“The local context allows us to collaborate closely with knowledge holders, stakeholders, and suppliers, enriching our story, products, and research.”
Running a manufacturing and export business requires substantial resources, finances, and capabilities. Recent funding from Poutama has been instrumental in securing their trademarks in the USA and other global markets.
“This process, though expensive and drawn out, is crucial for our growth and risk mitigation, especially in the competitive USA market”, says Tristan.
“Being Māori is integral to our business ethos. We are a Te Tiriti-led business, working with Māori supply chains, rongoā products, and mātauranga knowledge.”
“We incorporate Māori frameworks throughout our operations, from Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Māori Data Governance to Knowledge Sovereignty. Our commitment to Te Tiriti is enshrined in the constitution of our US C-Corp entity, ensuring these values underpin all our activities authentically and can be showcased to the world.”
Some key highlights for the business include partnerships where they have supplied products to the All Blacks and Black Ferns 7s, Tennis New Zealand, multiple Kiwi athletes, and the NZ Olympic team. “Our reach now extends to multiple USA-based professional teams and athletes” says Tristan.
“Our significant R&D and Science division includes international clinicians and researchers, propelling us into high-level biomedical, nutraceutical, and health segments.”
Mānuka Performance is not just a business; it is a testament to the power of blending tradition with innovation, local roots with global reach, and indigenous knowledge with cutting-edge science. Tristan adds, “We are proud to share our journey and products with the world, showcasing the best of New Zealand’s natural and cultural heritage.”
For more information check out their website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
