Earlier this month, oOh!media New Zealand and Whāriki Māori Business Network named Wai Mānuka – a premium non-alcoholic beverage infused with Mānuka honey – as the first recipient of Te Whakatairanga Grant, supporting rising Māori businesses. New Zealanders nationwide will now see Wai Mānuka celebrated across oOh!’s networks thanks to its media advertising prize package.
The new campaign launches just in time for Matariki, spotlighting Wai Mānuka as a beverage to be shared with whānau and friends during this time of renewal and reflection. Featuring proximity-based creative designed with oOh!’s Studio team, the campaign points shoppers directly to nearby stockists, providing the fast-rising brand with significant visibility to boost growth further.
“Te Whakatairanga is about creating meaningful visibility for Māori businesses and celebrating their excellence in public spaces,” says Mark Banbrook (Te Rarawa), National Sales Director of oOh!media New Zealand.
“Wai Mānuka’s campaign does exactly that by blending tradition with innovation to deliver a product built for Aotearoa and abroad.”
Wai Mānuka is a premium product infusing Mānuka honey with lemon juice and sparkling water to create a refreshing non-alcoholic drink for all occasions. The brainchild of Bay of Plenty friends, the brand has already gained fans in overseas markets such as the US and Japan and is now focused on building recognition in its native Aotearoa.
The campaign taps into the values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and aspiration by positioning Wai Mānuka as a drink that honours whakapapa while looking confidently toward the future.
“Our vision has always been to take a distinctly Māori product ki te ao – to the world – and this campaign allows us to deepen that kaupapa here at home. We’re proud to share our story during Matariki – a time to pause, reconnect, and celebrate together,” says Joseph Harawira, CEO and Co-Founder of Wai Mānuka.
Applications for the 2025 Te Whakatairanga Grant opened in May, with Wai Mānuka selected by a judging panel including representatives from oOh!media and the Whāriki Māori Business Network. The Wai Mānuka campaign will be live until 25 June in line with Matariki.
“We’re grateful to partner with oOh!media on Te Whakatairanga. This kaupapa creates real, visible impact for our businesses, like Wai Mānuka,” says Renée Smith (Ngāti Ranginui, Te Ātiawa), GM of Whāriki Māori Business Network.
“Theirs is a brilliant example of Māori excellence, and we’re proud to support a platform that helps share their story with Aotearoa.”
