This page explains what you need to do if you keep bees on public or private land, and how to be a responsible beekeeper.
All apiaries must be registered
Not all beekeepers need a licence, but all beekeepers have to register their apiary with the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).
How to register an apiary
New Zealand Bee Health and Biosecurity processes registrations of apiaries.
You can register your apiary or change your existing registration by signing up to their online portal HiveHub.
Once you register, you have to keep your registration number visible at each apiary you own (usually on a hive).
Check if you need a licence to keep bees
Keeping bees in a public place
You will need a licence if you want to place beehives in a public place.
We will consider the proposed location of the hives and whether the bees may cause nuisance to the public.
If we approve your application, you will need to pay a licence fee.
Contact us and speak to a park advisor.
Keeping bees on your property
You do not need a licence to keep bees on your property, but you do need to follow minimum standards for responsible beekeeping.
How to be a responsible beekeeper
Food and water for bees
A food source of nectar and pollen is important for bee nutrition.
Without suitable food sources, bees can starve or become weak and less able to resist diseases and pests.
Provide fresh water for the bees you keep on your property.
You can find information on bee-friendly plants on the Trees for Bees NZ website.
Sugar syrup is an acceptable alternative to nectar and pollen if there is a seasonal shortage in the natural food source on your property.
Manage flight paths of bees
Bees will fly at head height for some distance from their hives unless their surrounding environment directs their flight path upwards.
Bees can be encouraged to fly above head height if you place a flyway barrier 1-2m from the hive entrance.
Barriers you can use to direct a flight path include:
- shrubs or trees
- a wall
- a hedge
- a fence.
Keep flight paths away from pathways used by people on private and public land.
Manage bee excrement
Where you place hives is important for minimising nuisance to neighbours.
Bees often excrete after they leave the hive and this can be within a 500m radius.
Position hives in a way that avoids bee excrement dropping on neighbouring washing lines, vehicles and buildings.
Prevent overcrowding of bees
Bees forage in a radius of up to 5km from the hive.
Too many bees in a single area can cause competition between honeybee colonies.
You can prevent overcrowding by limiting the number of hives in an area to match the available food sources.
More information
For advice on how to follow the Animal Management Bylaw, contact your local beekeeping club or Apiculture New Zealand.
You can get further information on beekeeping from the Apiculture New Zealand website.