Stories about NZ beekeeping…
These articles have been written for a number of reasons. In some cases, they were first drafts of an article to submit to the NZ Beekeeper magazine. Some are a more personal take on the beekeeping industry in the 1990s, mostly. Finally, some include a lot of references back to the original reports, minutes and magazines – what this whole digital archive was about to begin with…
Fairness and Voting for Beekeepers – A look at the (lack of) detail of the proposals to ‘elect’ the Management Agency for the Pest Management Plan.
Paraffin Wax Dipping – A bit of history behind the use of hot paraffin wax for dipping bee equipment, both for preservation and for sterilisation.
Trevor Palmer-Jones – For more than 30 years, Palmer-Jones was New Zealand’s primary beekeeping scientist.
The Australian Honey Debacle – Back in 1937/1938 there was a major upheaval for the beekeeping industry that resulted in the liquidation of NZ Honey and the resignation of the whole Honey Control Board, led by Jack Butland.
Legislation Related to Introduction of Bees, Honey and Appliances – Links to mostly the legislation to controlled the importation of bees, but also honey and second-hand bee equipment.
Creamed Honey – A short overview of NZ’s history of making “creamed honey”‘, mostly with references to the old magazines that I have scanned in the NZ Beekeeping Digital Archive.
Imperial Bee Honey – A look at NZ’s first attempt at producing a national ‘branding’ for honey.
Beginnings of the HMA – The time leading up to the formation of the Honey Marketing Authority at the end of 1953.
Beekeeping Industry Taonga – I wrote this after the ApiNZ 2021 conference, the first such conference I’d attended since the late 1990s.
Developing the AFB PMS – This article describes the NBA’s creation of a Pest Management Strategy to replace the Apiaries Act.
History of AFB Control – This was the first draft of an article for the NZ Beekeeper magazine, discussing the history of AFB control in NZ through time.
Changes to the Industry in the 1990s – In the 1990s the beekeeping industry faced the loss of a compulsory levy, the protections afforded by the Apiaries Act, and the advisory services provided by MAF.
Beekeeping Industry Levies – The beekeeping industry has had a range of levies, based on a range of commodities, including honey, apiaries and hive numbers.
Sir Edmund Hillary and the Issue of Life Membership in the NBA – NZ’s most famous beekeeper was never made a Life Member of the National Beekeepers’ Assn.
Christchurch Beekeeping Conferences – This article was written shortly before the ApiNZ Conference in Christchurch in June 2022.
Life Membership of the NBA – During its 100 year history the NBA made 70 members into ‘Life Members’ of the association, the highest honour available.
Elections for the NBA – Until 1975, NBA Executive, President and VP were elected from the floor of conference. From 1975, the Executive was elected by postal poll prior to conference, leaving only the President and VP to be elected.
Honey Marketing ‘Bodies’ in NZ – A short history of the main marketing authorities and co-operative efforts to market NZ honey.
Industry Planning – The NBA carried out an effective planning process through the 1980s and 1990s, assisted by the MAF Advisory Officers of the time.
What If There Was No PMP? – During a review of the Pest Management Plan, one person suggested that we should do away with the PMP entirely. I looked at the possible outcomes of that decision.
History of Beekeeping in Taranaki – This was planned as a talk for the Southern North Island field day that was to be held at Eltham Apiaries in September 2021. Covid caused the cancellation of the day’s activities.
Editors of the NZ Beekeeper Magazine – The NBA published the NZ Beekeeper magazine from the late 1930s until it was re-organised as ApiNZ.
The 1974 MAF Seminar in Taupo – This was the first NZ beekeeping event I ever attended, only days after I first came to NZ to be a beekeeper…