News and Information - Marlborough Beekeepers Association

Legal Requirements

If you keep bees and you live in New Zealand it is a legal requirement that you register your hive(s).

This registration is in accordance with the Biosecurity (National American Foulbrood Pest Management Strategy) Order 1998. A national register of beekeepers is maintained by AsureQuality, a government owned commercial company (http://www.asurequality.com). The Apiary Register is part of New Zealand’s strategy to eliminate American Foulbrood (AFB) in managed bee colonies. There is no cost to register hives, but an AFB Biosecurity Levy based on the number of apiaries and hives held by the beekeeper must be paid each year. In addition, each beekeeper must complete an Annual Disease Return (ADR). A separate annual Certificate of Inspection (COI) showing that each hive was inspected for American Foulbrood (AFB) by an approved person must also be completed and returned.

You can download the registration form from: http://afb.org.nz, click on “Forms” then on “New Beekeeper or Apiary”.
25 August – Preparing for Spring

The days are getting longer and warmer, Spring is around the corner!

Yes, it’s nearly the start of another beekeeping season.

At this Sunday’s workshop we will be preparing for Spring – we’ll open up our hives to see how they fared over winter, check the condition of the queen and brood, and amount of honey supply.

We’ll also check varroa mite numbers, and treat if necessary. We’ll also discuss treatment options.

Please bring your beesuit. Veils are available for newbies – non members are welcome.

Please meet at the carpark at the end of Ballinger Drive (off Budge st), 2pm.

If wet we will head indoors and discuss the above topics.
Introduction to Beekeeping Sunday 18th August

This Sunday 18th August we will be hosting a seminar for people who are keen to start or investigate beekeeping as a hobby or as a career.

We will cover topics such as hiveware needed, where to obtain bees, regulations, and more. There will be an opportunity to view hiveware and answer questions you may have.

Venue will be the Marlborough Research Centre in the theatre at 85 Budge Street.
Time: 2pm-4pm.
28 July 2024 – Queen Rearing

Scott is making the journey to share all he can about rearing queens for the amateur. This will be an informative event worth hearing, from our NMIT lecturer located in Nelson.
Sunday 28th July 2pm
30 June – Hiveware and repair workshop

Winter has arrived and now is a good time to sort out your hiveware ready for the new season.

This Sunday 30 June we’ll be having a workshop on repairing and maintaining hiveware. We’ll discuss tips and have demonstrations. Bring your tips to share.

Please meet at the red shed at 2pm at the end of Ballinger Drive, off Budge Street.
28th April 24 – AGM and Competitions
At the Marlborough Research Centre theatre at 85 budge street.

Please join us for our AGM and have your say on what you would like the club to be doing. Please consider joining the committee so we can continue to provide a great club to our members. The club relies on small amounts of help from many to keep things running smoothly.

We also have our:

Annual honey competition (please bring your honey in a jar for all to taste).

Bee photo competition (please bring a printed version of your photo)

Best other beehive product (in the past this has been won by meads, candles or cosmetics)

Cost of Membership for the 2024 year will be set at the AGM.
Sunday 26 November – Preparing for summer

Summer is on the way – and that means we need to prepare our hives for the nectar flow.

How many honey boxes (supers) to put on? What if you go away on holiday? We’ll discuss this and other information at this Sunday’s workshop, 26 November. Please meet at the club carpark, end of Ballinger Drive at 2pm.

Please bring your bee suit but some veils will be provided.
Sunday 29 October – preparing for summer

Spring is well underway – and so are swarms. Hopefully you are regularly checking your hives for swarm cells.

This Sunday 29 October we’ll open up a hive or two to check on the queen’s laying, check for swarm cells and overall health. We’ll also discuss preparing for the summer.

Please meet at the carpark at the end of Ballinger Drive, 2pm. Bring your bee suit but some veils will be provided.
24 September – preventing your hive from swarming

It’s swarm season again and once again us beekeepers need to check our hives over the next few months to ensure the hive doesn’t swarm, let alone annoy the neighbourhood!

The image on this post shows the condition of a hive that may lead to swarming.

We’ll be holding a workshop at our club hives demonstrating methods on how to control/prevent hives from swarming.

Please meet at the carpark at the end of Ballinger Drive, off Budge st, Blenheim, 2pm on 24th September.

Please bring your beesuit but some veils will be available.
27 August – Spring activity in the hives

Spring is around the corner and we’re keen to see how our hives survived the winter. On Sunday 27th August we’re opening our hives, check their condition and do mite counts. We’ll also discuss preparing for the new season.

Please meet at the carpark on Ballinger Drive (off Budge st) at 2pm.

If the weather is unsuitable for opening the hives, we’ll head indoors and talk about preparing for the new season.

Please bring your bee suit, but some veils will be provided.
Introduction to Beekeeping 13 Aug 23

Have you ever thought of taking up beekeeping as a hobby?

If you want to know if hobby beekeeping is for you, or wish to start beekeeping, the Marlborough Beekeepers Association is holding an “Introduction to Beekeeping” session on the 13 August, where you will know the ins and outs of hobby beekeeping, ranging from gear required, costs, and more.

There is a fee of $25 for non members, but you can join up as a member for $20 prior to the session or on the day ($40 for family).

If you’re interested, you can find details on our Facebook page, here.