HEALTH AND SAFETY Apiculture New Zealand and Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). The wildfire risk around the country is currently quite variable. There have been unseasonably warm temperatures, and some areas have had significant rain while others have remained very dry. This is likely to be a common theme for the [...]
HEALTH AND SAFETY. By Karen Allan. Full-time commercial beekeeper Paula Stapleton moved from Ireland to New Zealand with her husband and three children 14 years ago. Two years ago she finally realised her lifelong dream to become a firefighter when she joined as a volunteer in Ahipara, Kaitaia. Paula says she had [...]
For the Summer journal we’re highlighting the importance of fire safety when beekeeping in high-risk conditions and the great work the country’s firefighters do to keep us safe. Many of these firefighters, like Simon, are also avid beekeepers. Simon Aarts Coalgate Honey Co., Coalgate, Canterbury What’s your background in beekeeping? How long have [...]
BEEKEEPING 101: Summer 24-25 Ken Brown. This new column covers beekeeping basics for beginner and intermediate beekeepers. Just like the doctor’s oath, a primary consideration is to do no harm during an examination. However, there are times when some interventions are necessary for the long-term greater good, which includes hive checks. FIRST, [...]
BUSINESS Fiona Windle, Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence Losing a worker and then having to find and train a new one can be costly and time-consuming. Keeping employees happy not only saves money but also boosts productivity and ensures smooth operations. The food and fibre sector (including apiculture) struggles more with retaining [...]
ABOUT THE APIARY: SUMMER 2024-25 Barry Foster. Summer marks, in numerous ways, the culmination of the beekeeping season. Starting with the placement of hives on various summer sites for a variety of honey flows. Then it’s supering, harvesting, processing the honey crop, controlling pests and diseases and hopefully marketing the honey crop [...]