PHIL EVANS continues his series of articles summarising Council’s requirements for keeping beehives in residential, urban areas by detailing 11 Councils from the lower North Island.
In these areas, six Councils have (as best I could research) no rules pertaining to beehives in residential or urban areas, while five have specific restrictions.
Complaints about bees are managed under the bylaw stated for each Council. This means the council will investigate, and may suggest changes to location, entrance direction, water availability, fence height, or removal on a case-by-case basis.
Disclaimer – The information presented here should be used as a guide only, and has been found on the Council’s websites and through contact with Council staff. For full details of rules, restrictions, fees etc. for keeping bees in your region, please contact your local Council.
Auckland Council Beekeeping rules are being revised. Submissions opened on June 8 and close on July 13.
Kapiti Coast District Council is reviewing their rules as part of a review of their Keeping of Animals, Bees and Poultry Bylaw. Submissions opened June 28 and close July 28. More details available here.
The following councils have no formal restrictions, other than nuisance guidelines in their associated bylaws.
Hutt CC Control of Animals Bylaw 2018
Masterton DC Part 6 - Wairarapa Consolidated Bylaw 2019
South Wairarapa DC Part 6 - Wairarapa Consolidated Bylaw 2019
Carterton DC Part 6 - Wairarapa Consolidated Bylaw 2019
Upper Hutt CC Keeping of Stock, Poultry and Bees Bylaw 2005
Wellington CC Wellington Consolidated Bylaw 2008 Part 2
The following Councils have specific rules, and may require permits and fees. Nuisance rules are included in the associated bylaws for each Council.
Rangitikei District Council Animal Control Bylaw 2019.
· Permit required from Council.
· Fees of $60 per hour for time taken.
· Hives must be set back 5m from boundary.
· All neighbours consent in writing required.
Manawatu DC Animal Bylaw 2019, plus Online Beekeeping Registration Form.
· Minimum 1m from boundary, 1.6m fence height.
· Hive Numbers
o < 500m2 – no hives
o 500-700m2 – 2 hives
o 701-1000m2 – 4 hives
o 1001-2000m2 – 6 hives
o >2001m2 – 8 hives
· Must notify Council of location and number of hives.
· Require a permit, where conditions may be imposed, if unable to comply with above.
Palmerston North City Council Animals and Bees Bylaw 2018
· Requires submitting an Animals and Bees Bylaw Permit Application Form
· Minimum 1m from boundary, 1.6m fence height
· Hive numbers:
o < 500m2 – no hives
o 500-700m2 – 2 hives
o 701-1000m2 – 4 hives
o 1001-2000m2 – 6 hives
o >2001m2 – 8 hives
· Must notify Council of location and number of hives.
· Require permit (no charge) if unable to comply with above, where conditions may be imposed.
Porirua City Council
Part 7 - Porirua City Council General Bylaw 1991
· Must get permission from all neighbours before setting up hives.
· Must advise new neighbours of existing hives.
· Must register with Apiculture NZ and adhere to their Code of Conduct.
Kapiti Coast DC
Keeping of Animals, Bees & Poultry Bylaw 2010
· Permit required (fees may apply).
Permit can be cancelled if complaints from 2 adjoining neighbours received.
