Te Manaia Organics

Te Manaia Organics was first established back in 1990, on alluvial lands on the outskirts of Masterton. Owner operator Jeremy Howden comes from a strong farming background, having grown up on a sheep and beef block at Te Wharau in the Wairarapa, with parents Peter & Sylvia.

Jeremy’s love for nature and the outdoors was fostered there at Rocky Hills, where the family protected a 200ha stand of native bush, vesting it with the QEII trust. Mother Sylvia was also a qualified home scientist (known today as a nutritionist) and grew a large vegetable garden at the family home, passing her passion for health and well-being along with her knowledge about growing vege to her son.

When he first set up Te Manaia, Jeremy already knew that he didn’t want to farm using chemical methods, from both a personal safety point of view as well as for the health of the consumer. His farming practises have therefore been completely organic since the very beginning, and Te Manaia has been officially certified organic since 1995.

Jeremy’s personal interest in good food and ingredients, and the time Te Manaia was being launched coinciding with a bit of a local food revolution, led to him growing rare (for that time) vege like radicchio, fennel & celeriac, along with staples such as sprouting broccoli, spinach & onions.

After taking a break overseas, further growing his love for good cuisine, Jeremy relaunched Te Manaia Organics six years ago, joined in 2024 by son Alex, and his fiancée Evie. Having previously worked for Te Manaia Organics, as well as Streamside Organics in Christchurch & Commonsense in Wellington, Alex is certainly no stranger to the industry and brings with him fresh energy & visions for the future.

Te Manaia Organics is proud to continue the legacy of knowledge that has been passed down through the generations of Howdens, and Jeremy is excited for the continuity of the business, with Alex set to take over the reins as Jeremy moves toward his retirement years.