New Zealand BeeKeeper journal

04/07/2024

WHEN YOUR HIVE TAKES A DIVE. As the apiculture industry faces a number of challenges from severe weather events and varroa infestation to financial difficulties, building resilience both personally and in your business can help weather the stormy parts of the beekeeping journey.
Read more on what to do when Plan A doesn't work out in the latest edition of The New Zealand BeeKeeper journal: https://apinz.org.nz/the-new-zealand-beekeeper-journal/

There are many options for support available to beekeepers going through tough times. Visit the ApiNZ Health and Wellbeing webpage for a range of tools and services: https://apinz.org.nz/health-and-wellbeing/
This page also includes and a webinar from this time last year where All Black Sam Whitelock talks about being match fit for the new season.

01/07/2024

NZ BEEKEEPER WINTER EDITION OUT NOW!
Stay up-to-date with the latest honey bee research, industry discussions and export market insights. Then warm up your apiculture muscles with hot honey science, a piping hot book review and some tips on preparing for the next season.
Read and/or download The NZ BeeKeeper now here: https://apinz.org.nz/the-new-zealand-beekeeper-journal/

Follow the link to receive a quarterly email with the journal link as soon as it is published each season (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring): https://apinz.org.nz/nz-beekeeper-signup/

18/06/2024

Great to see everyone at the INDUSTRY SUMMIT DAY in Hamilton today.
Lots of great discussion about how the industry can work together to improve future outcomes.

12/06/2024

WHAT'S BOTHERING YOU IN YOUR BEEKEEPING EXPERIENCE?
The Rotorua Honey Bee Club is hosting an event on the 7 July for hobbyist beekeepers to share their hive concerns.

Open to club members (free) and non-members (small fee applies).

For further info and to register, contact Pauline: [email protected]
Please register by 30 June.

07/06/2024

With just over a week to go Apiculture New Zealand and the Unique Mānuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA) are looking forward to bringing together key stakeholders in the apiculture industry to address future challenges and opportunities.

There is no cost to register, so check out the programme and sign up today, here: https://apinz.org.nz/summit-day-2024/

Don't forget to also register for the Research Symposium the day before. Spaces are limited so get in quick, here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/the-5th-nz-honey-bee-research-symposium-tickets-879950925907

24/05/2024

EXPLORE THE LATEST APICULTURE RESEARCH in Hamilton this June.

Monday 17 June (the day before the ApiNZ Industry Summit)
at the Plant and Food Research Ruakura Campus, Hamilton

Find out more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/the-5th-nz-honey-bee-research-symposium-tickets-879950925907

The symposium is organised for scientists to present, inform and understand the honey bee research landscape in New Zealand, but everyone is welcome to attend. It is a great opportunity to learn about recent research from scientists working in the apiculture field, hear some of the scientific challenges facing the industry, and understand how research in New Zealand addresses these issues.

19/05/2024

Today we celebrate our clever wee honey-making friends and all the hard work they do.

Raise a spoonful of honey today in honour of these amazing creatures.

03/05/2024

Join key industry stakeholders as we address future challenges and opportunities in the apiculture sector.
For more info, and to register, visit: https://apinz.org.nz/summit-day-2024/

21/11/2023

Send in a question about beekeeping, bee science or honey for our experts to answer on our Got Questions? webpage, and BE IN TO WIN! One lucky questioner will have their curiosity rewarded with a hard copy of 'The Mind of a Bee' by Lars Chittka.

Answers need to be submitted by Friday 15 December for a chance to win.
Submit your question/s here: https://apinz.org.nz/new-to-beekeeping/
NB: Giveaway prize postage is restricted to NZ postal addresses.

Answers will be posted on our webpage and in our Dec/Jan NZ BeeKeeper journal.

02/10/2023

LATEST NZ BEEKEEPER OUT NOW!
The October/November edition of the New Zealand BeeKeeper is now available to members online at https://apinz.org.nz/new-zealand-beekeeping-journal/ and hard copies will be making their way to letter boxes soon.

Read about the latest approaches to pest and disease control, including a spotlight on AFB, varroa and giant willow aphid. Find out how the new season is starting out across the regions and get some tips on the best ways to enjoy the unique creation that is honeydew honey.

09/08/2023

BEGINNER BEEKEEPERS, send us your beekeeping questions and we'll get a seasoned beekeeper to answer it and publish it in our upcoming NZ BeeKeeper journal and on our website.
Ask here: https://apinz.org.nz/form-view/13
or email [email protected]

31/07/2023

Catch up on all the Conference award winners and goings-on, read about a honey business that's been operating for nearly a century, and learn about wood frame honey comb in the latest edition of The New Zealand BeeKeeper journal.

Now available online for members on the ApiNZ Members Only page, and arriving in hard copy form in letterboxes soon.

Missing out on a good read? Subscribe here: https://apinz.org.nz/shop/publications/

08/06/2023

Plan your Conference experience, read about indoor bees and get some tips on how to host your own honey tasting party this winter in the latest edition of the NZ BeeKeeper Journal.

NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE in the Members Only section of our website: https://apinz.org.nz/new-zealand-beekeeping-journal/
Hard copies should arrive in letterboxes soon.

Wish you weren't missing out? Subscribe now: https://apinz.org.nz/shop/publications/

02/04/2023

THE APRIL/MAY EDITION OF THE NZ BEEKEEPER JOURNAL IS OUT NOW
Hard copies are making their way to all registered beekeepers this week. ApiNZ members can access the online version now at: https://apinz.org.nz/new-zealand-beekeeping-journal/
Read about the latest science, research and innovation in the war on bee pests, take a look at the results of the latest Colony Loss Survey in more depth, be inspired by new sustainability ideas and catch up on news from the regions.

30/09/2022

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER NZ BEEKEEPER JOURNAL NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!

Read up on sustainable beekeeping, the latest bee-related research, some financial tips for getting through the tough times, and the best bee books to buy for Christmas.

Sign in to the Members Only journal page for your digital version.
https://apinz.org.nz/new-zealand-beekeeping-journal/
Hard copies should appear in letter boxes over the next couple of weeks.

04/08/2022

The latest New Zealand BeeKeeper Journal is out now!

Check out the highlights from this year's ApiNZ Conference in Christchurch, read about the latest in pest management research and get some advice for your first spring hive inspection.

Hard copies should be arriving in members' mailboxes now. A digital copy is available for viewing on our members webpage.

15/06/2022

For more info and how to enter go to:
https://apinz.org.nz/apinz-conference/national-photography-competition/

26/05/2022

The June/July 2022 issue of the NZ BeeKeeper journal should arrive in mailboxes next week.

In this edition we farewell our ApiNZ Board chair, introduce the new honey sector strategy and learn the principles of creaming honey from an expert.

All members can access the online version of the journal through the Members Only pages of the ApiNZ website.

04/04/2022

Television personality and mental health advocate, Mike King, will be one of the keynote speakers at ApiNZ's 2022 Conference. Mike is the ambassador for I AM HOPE which aims to change attitudes around mental health and fund care and counselling for young people needing support. Mike will share with delegates his own experiences and offer a new way to feel, think and talk about mental health. The I Am Hope Trust is the official Charity for Conference 2022. You can find out more about it here: https://www.iamhope.org.nz/

28/03/2022

The April/May BeeKeeper journal will be reaching mailboxes very soon! If you want to subscribe to all six issues of the journal for the 2022/2023 year, you can do this here: https://apinz.org.nz/shop/publications/
Or if join Apiculture NZ, you will receive a journal subscription as one of your membership benefits (along with laboratory discounts, market reports, access to an online archive of the NZ BeeKeeper and more). Find out more here:
https://apinz.org.nz/join-us/

15/03/2022

The newly released 2021 NZ Colony Loss Survey shows varroa was the most commonly reported reason for winter bee colony losses.

The 2021 NZ Colony Loss Survey released today by MPI has found that for the first time in the history of the survey varroa was the most common reason for overwintering losses. The survey had a focus on varroa treatment and management. You can see the infographic and survey report here:
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/plans-for-responding-to-serious-disease-outbreaks/bee-biosecurity/bee-colony-loss-survey/
ApiNZ has put out this media release on the findings: https://apinz.org.nz/varroa-increasingly-responsible/

14/03/2022

📷🎖Apiculture NZ is looking for photos that showcase the wonderful world of bees and beekeeping. From portraits to scenic snaps and bloopers - they want to see your best images. 🐝

The ApiNZ National Photography competition is open to all current ApiNZ members and will be held at Conference 2022. Full details, rules and entry forms are here: https://apinz.org.nz/apinz-conference/national-photography-competition/

📷 Some of the stunning entries from the 2021 National Photography Competition. Photographer credits from L to R top: Linden Gomes, Mel Adams, Hazel Moran, Linden Gomes.

07/03/2022

🍯🏅Get your honey seen, tasted and celebrated at Apiculture New Zealand National Honey Competition this June. The National Honey Competition is a great way to increase your brand exposure, build business credibility and give you a marketing edge.

This year ApiNZ has added a new category to the competition: The People's Choice Award. Delegates will get to taste and vote for their favourite honey. 🍯😍

For more details on how to enter go here: https://apinz.org.nz/apinz-conference/national-honey-competition/

03/03/2022

Kānuka honey is an under-appreciated honey often overshadowed by its distant, and more famous cousin, mānuka. Honey judge Maureen Conquer rates kānuka as more elegant and appealing than mānuka. Like its relative, it holds great potential as an active ingredient in health and beauty products. In the last issue of the NZ BeeKeeper, Maureen shared some recipes for beauty products using kānuka honey. Check them out here: https://apinz.org.nz/kanuka-beauty-products/

28/02/2022

The annual ApiNZ Conference is coming South. It will be held this year at the brand new Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. Join beekeepers, honey producers and industry insiders from across the country this 30 June/1 July as they come together for two days of all things bees and honey. Find out more here: https://apinz.org.nz/apinz-conference/

24/02/2022

If you are a beekeeper, then you probably recognise this insect. It’s the passion vine hopper which feeds on the tutu plant and secretes honeydew which bees collect. If this honeydew makes it into your honey, it can make consumers very sick.
If you have hives in areas close to tutu bushes where passion vine hoppers are prevalent, then your honey may be at risk from tutin contamination. Keep consumers safe and read about your responsibilities here: https://bit.ly/37wMj4f

23/02/2022

The ApiNZ Conference will be a chance to hear some of the world's leading bee experts talk about bees and beekeeping. Dr Sammy Ramsey was a delegate favourite at the 2019 Conference for his informative and entertaining presentations on varroa and the tropilaelaps mite. We are pleased to welcome him back to Conference 2022 where he'll update us on his latest findings.
To find out more about what's on at Conference, check out the programme here: https://apinz.org.nz/apinz-conference/conference-programme/
To register for Conference go here: https://apinz.org.nz/apinz.../conference-registration/
For more on our Covid cancellation policy go here:https://apinz.org.nz/apinz-conference/covid19/

20/02/2022

Time for more beekeeping news, practical advice and industry updates! It's time to renew your NZ BeeKeeper subscription! The new subscription year starts in April - you can purchase your subscription here for $70: https://apinz.org.nz/shop/publications/
Or join Apiculture NZ and receive your journal subscription as one of your membership benefits (along with laboratory discounts, market reports, access to an online archive of the NZ BeeKeeper and more). Find out more here:
https://apinz.org.nz/join-us/

JOURNALS Due to Covid-19 restrictions and increases in parcel volumes, NZ Post has advised there will be delivery delays particularly into and out of Auckland over coming weeks.

01/02/2022

The February/March 2022 issue of the NZ BeeKeeper journal should be reaching letterboxes this week. In this edition we review the honey season so far and look back at honey market trends for 2021. We share the secrets of pollen and advice on requeening in autumn and helping weak hives. We review the success of the AFB dog detector project and share some practical tips for tutin testing

27/01/2022

Remember to look out for tutu bushes!

The tutu bush produces a neurotoxin called tutin which can make its way into honey. All honey producers need to follow the rules around tutin. Tutin has a long shelf life and it cannot be destroyed by heating. Find out what you need to do to ensure your honey is safe. https://bit.ly/37wMj4f