CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023 APICULTURE NZ AWARD WINNERS!

ApiNZ National Honey Competition

Sponsored by Kiwi Labels Ltd

Supreme Winner: Jarved Allan, The Mānuka Collective (Timaru)

View full list of winners here

Peter Molan Award

Sponsored by Oha Honey

The Peter Molan Award was instigated to recognise the efforts of an individual member, or team of people from within the Apiculture Industry, who have made an outstanding contribution in the field of Apiculture Science to advance the betterment of our industry.

Winner: Stephanie Sopow, Scion (New Zealand Forest Research Institute)

Rotorua-based forest entomologist Stephanie Sopow has been leading work on the biological control of giant willow aphid with a parasitoid as part of the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Farming Fund project ‘Management of Giant Willow Aphid’. The arrival of the giant willow aphid to New Zealand has caused a broad range of impacts not only on host trees, but also on bees and beekeepers, as a result of bees and wasps harvesting the aphid honeydew.

Roy Paterson Trophy

Sponsored by Pharmapac Ltd

This annual award recognises the most innovative idea, invention or new piece of technology which has been designed to benefit beekeepers.

Winner: Stuart Fraser, Natural Sugars (Auckland)

Stuart’s Kōpani pallet cover is made using plant-based materials (hemp fibre) that can be repurposed as smoker fuel at the end of its useful life, reducing the reliance on plastic for wrapping hives.

ApiNZ Unsung Hero Award

Sponsored by Natural Sugars NZ Ltd

The ApiNZ Unsung Hero award, also known as the Buzziest Bee Award recognises the efforts of an individual member within the Apiculture Industry, who has gone that extra mile, and given his or her time for the betterment of the industry without seeking recognition or reward.

Winners: Barry Foster, Steve Jackson, John Mackay (ApiNZ Tairāwhiti/Gisborne hub)

This trio was recognised for their outstanding work supporting beekeepers in their region following Cyclone Gabrielle.  They went above and beyond to help local beekeepers from coordinating practical help to organising social events.

ApiNZ Sustainability Best Practice Award

Sponsored by FMG Advice and Insurance

The importance of acting sustainably is increasing as the apiculture sector continues to experience strong growth. Apiculture New Zealand recognizes that certain individuals and organisations are accomplishing extraordinary achievements in this area. The ApiNZ Sustainability Best Practice Award is an opportunity to acknowledge and reward those efforts in this crucial area.

Winner: Glasson Apiaries (Blackball, West Coast)

Sustainability has been their ethos from how they manage their hive locations, keeping locations close to base, to careful management of bee health and creating enduring relationships with landowners and staff.

ApiNZ National Photography Competition

Sponsored by NZ Beeswax Ltd

Supreme winner: Cryn Russell (Hawke’s Bay)

People’s choice: Ilona Hart

Class A: Close Up Print

Gold medal: Cryn Russell

Silver medal: Ilona Hart

Bronze medal: Jen Chan

Class B: Scenic Print

Gold medal: Ilona Hart

Silver medal: Jen Chan

Bronze medal: Ken Brown

Class C: Portrait Print

Gold medal: Andrea McGill

Silver medal: Andrea McGill

Bronze medal: Ken Brown

Class D: Essay Print

Gold medal: Andrea McGill

Silver medal: no award

Bronze medal: Crystal Lange

Class E: “Oh Darn” Print

Gold medal: Eric Jadraque

Silver medal: Andrea McGill

Bronze medal: Crystal Lange

Bronze medal: Eric Jadraque

Class F: Beekeeper Business Challenge

Gold medal: Jayden Haslemore-Smith

Silver medal: Brian Salisbury

Bronze medal: no award

Class G: Mobile Phone Snap

Gold medal: Jen Chan

Silver medal: Eric Jadraque

Bronze medal: Eric Jadraque