Beyond the frame: where to next for the NZ apiculture sector?
The Apiculture NZ Conference and Trade Exhibition is the largest annual gathering of beekeepers, honey producers and pollination experts in New Zealand. It is an opportunity to learn, share and celebrate our industry.
This year’s presentations and seminars will explore next steps in apiculture science, markets and practices.
There are also pre-Conference events held on site on Wednesday 28 June as outlined in the programme below.
Programme
Please note, programme is subject to change
WEDNESDAY 28 JUNE
Pre-Conference events & Conference registration
| 9:00am – 4:30pm | 4th NZ Honey bee Research Symposium
What research is the New Zealand science community doing on honey bees and bee products? What are the science challenges in apiculture and how does research in New Zealand align with these industry needs? This research symposium takes place before the Conference and is for scientists to present, inform and understand the honey bee research landscape in New Zealand. The event is open to anyone interested in honey bee research. |
| 7:30am – 4:30pm | Professional Learning and Development Day
Focus on apprentices: providing a range of unit standards relevant to industry skill requirements. |
| 6:00pm – 8:00pm | Roast Dinner Buffet
Venue: Brasserie Poolside Restaurant at the Millennium Hotel Sponsored by Ecrotek |
THURSDAY 29 JUNE
Day One
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 7.30am | Registrations open Bacon butties provided compliments of Ecrotek |
| 8.30am | Mihi whakatau and Conference opening address Nathan Guy, ApiNZ Chair Councillor Karen Barker, Rotorua Lakes Council Hon Todd McClay, MP for Rotorua and National Party Agriculture Spokesman |
| 9:05am | Alex Turnbull Chief Executive, Mānuka Health – Premium Sponsor address |
| 9:10am | Keynote address and panel discussion ‘All about COLOSS – a global network to promote honey bee health and wellbeing.’ Dr Peter Neumann, Institute of Bee Health, Switzerland (via live stream)Followed by New Zealand panel discussion with: Dr Pike Stahlmann-Brown, Principal Economist and Research Priority Area Leader at Manaaki Whenua (Land Research) and Dr Oksana Borowik, NZ COLOSS Representative and commercial beekeeper |
| 10:15am | Morning Break |
| 10:45am | Keynote address and panel discussion ‘What’s going on with queens?’ Prof. David Tarpy, Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, USAFollowed by New Zealand panel discussion with: Frans Laas, Director Betta Bees Research and Carlos Zevallos, Head of Apiary Development, Comvita |
| 12:00pm | Lunch
Includes ApiNZ National Honey Competition Awards ceremony at 12.35 |
| Honey available for tasting in the Honey Room from 1pm | |
| 1:00pm | The impact of severe weather events on the apiculture sector. Sharing the lessons learnt from Cyclone Gabrielle
A panel discussion with beekeepers from affected regions Panellists include Barry Foster (Gisborne/Tairawhiti), Oksana Borowik (Coromandel) and Richard Kidd (Northland) |
| 1:45pm | AFB Pest Management Update
Clifton King |
| 2:15pm | Afternoon Break |
| 3:00pm | SEMINAR SESSIONS
SCIENCE SEMINAR & PANEL DISCUSSION – AUDITORIUM This panel discussion will explore the use of science to add a value to food products looking at what other industries and countries have achieved. The panel will then discuss what science we can use in New Zealand to achieve the same success with our own bee products. Zac Robinson, Cofounder/Co CEO, Arepa Facilitator: Megan Grainger BETTER BUSINESS SESSION – HILL LABS ROOM Panellists include Russell Marsh commercial beekeeper, Steve Jackson, non-commercial beekeeper and accountant, Marc Gascgoine, Dairy Farmer (via Farmstrong) |
| 3:45pm | SCIENCE SEMINAR & PANEL DISCUSSION – AUDITORIUM
Varroa what we currently know and where do we need to go. An interactive panel discussion discussing the current challenges faced by beekeepers managing varroa, what current tools are available to manage varroa better and what do we need to do as an industry to manage varroa successful in the future. Panellists include: Carlos Zevallos, Comvita (beekeeper perspective) HONEY SESSION – OPUS INTERNATIONAL ROOM “The Art of Tasting Honey” A hands on introduction to the art of sensory analysis and honey appreciation. Led by National Honey Judge Maureen Conquer |
| 4:45pm | NZ Beeswax Trade Buzz function |
| 6:30pm | End of NZ Beeswax Trade Buzz function |
FRIDAY 30 JUNE
Day Two
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 7.30am | Registrations open Bacon butties provided compliments of Ecrotek |
| 8.00am | ApiNZ AGM |
| 9:15am | Keynote Address Coming out of Winter Prof. David Tarpy, Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State university, USA |
| 10:15am | Morning Break |
| 10:45am | Keynote Address The biology and control of Small Hive Beetle Dr Peter Neumann, Institute of Bee Health, Switzerland (via live stream) |
| 11:15am | Taking on Varroa mite – an insight into how Australia is dealing with the arrival of this insidious pest
Danny Le Feuvre, Chief Executive of the Australia Honey Bee Council |
| 12:00pm | Lunch
Includes ApiNZ National Photography Competition Awards ceremony at 12.35 |
| 1:00pm | The government you want vs the government you’ll get – prospects for the 2023 election
Pattrick Smellie, Editor and co-founder of BusinessDesk |
| 1:45pm | The Market Session – industry panel discussion
What’s driving international demand for NZ honey? A panel of market experts will share insights into what the year (and years) ahead might look like for different honey categories in different markets. The panelists will also offer thoughts on how beekeepers can best respond to the changing demands on exporters from overseas customers. Sean Goodwin (The Mānuka Collective) Facilitator: Campbell Naish (UMFHA) |
| 2:30pm | Afternoon Break |
| 3:00pm | SEMINAR SESSIONS
MPI PANEL DISCUSSION AND UPDATE FOR THE APICULTURE INDUSTRY – AUDITORIUM MPI Panel includes: VARROA SENSITIVE HYGIENE WORKSHOP – HILL LABS ROOM ‘How Beekeepers can identify and retain Varroa Resistance traits their own bee populations’ Rae Butler and Linda Newstrom-Lloyd from the Varroa Resistance Breeding project |
| 3:45pm | International Keynote Speakers – Q&A
Dr Peter Neumann, Institute of Bee Health, Switzerland (via live stream) |
| 4:35pm | Conference Close – ApiNZ Board Chair Nathan Guy |
| 6:30pm | GALA DINNER AND AWARDS NIGHT
Venue: Rotorua Energy Events Centre Sponsored by The Mānuka Collective |
REGISTRATION ENQUIRIES
E: jennifer@eventdynamics.co.nz
GENERAL CONFERENCE ENQUIRIES
James Chatterley
E: james@eventdynamics.co.nz
M: 021 777 928
SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES
Any businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities or trade stands, please contact: amy@eventdynamics.co.nz