"We work with them, rather them working for us. We give back to nature more than we take from it. We use wood in our hives rather than plastic because we know the bees prefer wood.
"We also don't move the hives around. By leaving the hives where they are, the bees are giving back to the environment more than what we take."
Eltham Honey is part of the Taste of Taranaki pop-up in Eltham and Sonia says the pop-up is great for south Taranaki.
"South Taranaki has a lot of things to offer and I can't think of a more perfect place to have the pop-up than Eltham, it's putting a light on south Taranaki and the wonderful things we have here."
Eltham Honey's products are available online, and at the Taste of Taranaki Pop-up, running until January 2022.
"We've been heavily supported and we're always thankful for that support. I hope to see an event like the pop-up in the future, it's great for the region."
■ A Pop-up shop in Eltham is showcasing some of Taranaki's best producers. From chocolates, honey, baking, and even hot sauce, there's something to suit everyone's palate. The Stratford Press is profiling some of the many amazing businesses involved.