FAQs for COVID-19 Alert level 3 Do I need to register with MPI to operate under Alert Level 3? Answer: No. However, all businesses that are permitted to resume operations need to have a COVID-19 safety plan that sets out how they’ll operate safely. For businesses operating as an essential service under Alert Level [...]
Beekeeping operations under COVID-19 FAQs Last updated 18 August 2021 1. Can I still care for my beehives during Alert Level 4? Answer: Yes. Beekeeping is deemed an essential service. Travel to care for your animals, including bees, is allowed. Managing disease and preventing starvation are vital to ensure bee welfare and survival. Hives [...]
COVID-19 Alert Level 4 restrictions have impacted on the production of the April New Zealand BeeKeeper Journal. The safety of people remains ApiNZ’s top priority at this time and completing the production process would have compromised workers’ safety. For this reason, ApiNZ has stopped production. We will get the hard copy April Journals posted [...]
Since apiculture’s role as an essential service was confirmed, new issues have been raised this week on whether industry support services can still operate, whether MPI will be checking on registered businesses still operating and expectations for personnel traveling while at work. See answers to these concerns below: The MPI registration process has now [...]
You will be aware that the Prime Minister has today announced that New Zealand has moved to COVID-19 Alert Level 3, with Alert Level 4 to take place in 48 hours. Apiculture New Zealand, along with other industry groups, have been in urgent discussions with the Ministry for Primary Industries and had a conference [...]
Following yesterday’s conference call with the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon Damien O’Connor and Ray Smith, Director General of MPI, confirming that our industry, like other primary sector industries who supply the food chain, are seen as essential services, MPI has provided more detail on its online registration process. The registration process is to [...]
Can I still care for my beehives during Alert Level 4? The overriding purpose of Alert Level 4 is that everyone stays at home to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, you can leave your house to: Access essential services, like buying groceries, or going to a bank or pharmacy. Go to work if [...]
Following a request from ApiNZ, MPI has developed a travel note for those beekeepers travelling and working as part of essential business. This can be printed off by beekeepers and presented as evidence of being an essential service during the COVID-19 Level 4 alert period. Some companies are providing a confirmation letter for essential staff [...]
The New Zealand Government has declared a nationwide State of Emergency and lockdown for all non-essential services. Our industry, as part of the Agriculture sector, has been granted a dispensation to provide the essential ongoing care of our bees who play a critical role in our rural ecosystem for both horticulture and pasture feed, [...]
Jess Curtis, an 18-year old beekeeping apprentice based in the Cardrona Valley, is the recipient of the 2019 Apiculture New Zealand (ApiNZ) Ron Mossop Youth Scholarship, an award established to encourage young New Zealanders into the apiculture industry. The scholarship covers approved best practice training costs of up to $2000, a one-year membership to [...]