Natural Beekeeping Practices & Goals
Honey bees have been living naturally without human intervention for millions of years. Even in the last few thousand years since humans have started keeping bees, their existence was mostly natural. It is only in the last hundred years or so, once humans started raising queens artificially, that bees have been slowly cut off from their own evolution.
We believe in the ability of the bees to revert back to a natural existence- if only we let them raise their own queens instead of swapping their genetics on a yearly basis in the process of re-queening.
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Ever since I started beekeeping in NZ in 2008, I was always trying to practice bee-centred beekeeping practices that put the bee’s wellness as a top priority. As time went by, I learned more about natural beekeeping and started to implement more and more of the natural beekeeping practices to my system, with the aim to implement as many of the natural beekeeping objectives as possible in my region while still maintaining a sustainable business model. It is an ongoing journey and some of the implementations involve a lot of trial and error in order to figure out the best methods.
It was important for me to realize how different regions are very different in beekeeping practices. Some things that suit one region will not suit another, and the information available regarding natural beekeeping is not always straight forward in its implementation. Especially when it comes from different continents in different parts of the world.
About Us
We live and work in beautiful Golden Bay, at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. Our bees are spread around the bay in three main areas – Wainui Bay, Onekaka and Aorere Goldfields.
We (myself, partner and two young daughters) came to New Zealand in 2008, looking to escape the “rat race” and to find a lifestyle that is more down to earth, living off the land type. We found ourself in the Coromandel and there was my first experience with bees, managing 100 hives in the community we lived in. It was love on first site. I was drowned and amazed by these beautiful creatures and I am working with bees ever since. In 2013 we moved to Golden Bay where I found a job as a labourer beekeeper, became a manager in 2016, and finally bought the business I was working for in 2020.
Our beekeeping operation consist of managing 300 hives, spread around the bay in small permanent apiaries of about 15 hives each. Our beekeeping practices are bee centred, bee friendly and natural to the best of our abilities. You can learn about out beekeeping practices in the Natural Beekeeping practices and goals page or find more practical information in our practical information for beekeepers, page.