Kanuka vs. Manuka: What’s the Difference?

Two Famous Native Treasures of Aotearoa

When people think of New Zealand’s healing plants – kanuka vs. manuka, one name usually comes up first: mānuka. Its honey is world-famous, known for its antibacterial strength and high price tag. But there’s another native plant quietly standing beside it — kānuka. Often mistaken for its more famous cousin, kānuka has its own unique powers for health, skin, and wellbeing.

So, what’s the real difference between kānuka and mānuka? Why do both play such an important role in rongoā Māori (traditional healing), and how can they support modern wellness today? Let’s take a closer look at these two iconic herbs.

The Story Behind Kānuka and Mānuka

Both kānuka (Kunzea ericoides) and mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) belong to the myrtle family. At a glance, they look similar, which is why people often confuse the two. However, their healing properties, traditional uses, and flavours differ in fascinating ways.

What is Manuka?

Mānuka is the better-known of the two. Its small sharp leaves and white or pink flowers grow across New Zealand. Māori have long used mānuka as a tea for fever, a steam for colds, and even as a soothing skin wash. Today, mānuka honey is a global export, valued for its methylglyoxal (MGO) levels which make it antibacterial.

What is Kanuka?

Kānuka is lighter and softer in its leaves. Māori healers traditionally used it for skin irritations, wounds, fevers, and digestive health. Kānuka oil is now widely studied for its ability to help with eczema, acne, and skin repair. Unlike mānuka, kānuka honey is not yet as commercially famous, but it is still packed with gentle healing qualities.

Why the Differences Matter for Your Wellbeing

Both herbs are treasures of Aotearoa, but their strengths shine in different areas:

• Mānuka – Strong antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits, often used for gut health and immunity. Mānuka honey is especially powerful for soothing sore throats and supporting healing.
  
• Kānuka – Gentle but deeply effective for skin and topical healing. It has strong anti-inflammatory action, making it excellent for calming irritated skin, redness, or wounds.

When you choose between the two, it depends on what your body needs most. If you’re looking to fight off infections or boost immunity, mānuka is your friend. If your focus is skin, recovery, and inflammation, kānuka might be the better choice.

At Atutahi, we honour both plants by weaving them into modern products while respecting their cultural and natural origins. Our Kānuka Beetroot Chutney brings kānuka’s subtle flavour into your kai, while mānuka forms part of our wider conversation about Māori botanicals and their superpowers.

Bringing Māori Botanicals Into Your Daily Life

Choosing native herbs like kānuka and mānuka isn’t just about personal health. It’s about connecting to Aotearoa’s natural world and the wisdom of rongoā Māori.

Atutahi makes this simple by crafting drinks, chutneys, and gift packs that bring these flavours and benefits to your table. From Kawakawa Lemon Lime to Horopito Blackcurrant, each bottle reflects a tradition passed down through generations.

Explore our full range of Atutahi products and discover how you can taste the difference between Māori botanicals every day.

If you’d like to learn more about these powerful plants, start with our Māori Ingredients & Their Superpowers guide and dive deeper into heroes like:

• Kawakawa: The Digestive Superleaf of Aotearoa
• Kūmarahou: Respiratory Health the Māori Way
• Horopito: Nature’s Anti-Inflammatory Secret
• How Rongoā Māori Informs Atutahi’s Herbal Formulas

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