Business Is Boring

From Aotearoa to the world: how Wai Mānuka is going global

Wai Mānuka founder and CEO Joseph Harawira joins Simon Pound to discuss the premium beverage brand’s journey from humble origins to FMCG markets around the world.

06 Aug 2025

From Aotearoa to the world: how Wai Mānuka is going global

More about the episode

What started as a conversation between three friends in Whakatāne became a new category in drinks - a premium sparkling Mānuka honey beverage rooted in kaupapa Māori.

In this episode, Joseph Harawira shares the Wai Mānuka journey - from army discipline and sports high performance to launching at the America’s Cup and landing the brand in New York. We talk about staying true to cultural values, sharing the story of Aotearoa, and building a business that’s as ambitious as it is grounded.