Rock-tober 2026

Last year Aimz rocked into her beekeeping work in October and now, with expert timing, she’s at it again, bopping away in the Bay of Plenty…

It’s the end of the world as we know it – and I feel fine. With pollination just a shot away, it’s time to rock around the clock. For what it’s worth, welcome to another Rock-tober special.

Imagine there’s no heaven. Only kiwifruit orchards, netting forever. Row after row after identical row. Low hanging canopies, jutting pergolas, spray schedules and strategically hidden drainage, with orchard staff lurking somewhere in the gloom.

From the Darkside of the moon to the Bay of Plenty, Aimz is rocking into October low on time and on the run around the beehives.

So, you think you can tell heaven from hell? Paint it black and dance to the beat of the living dead. Throw in a few million bees for good measure, then you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile and you may ask yourself, how did I get here?

Don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy. Tune in, there’s plenty of work to be done. Good music equals good vibrations.

Navigating these narrow strips in the deep purple of night requires big balls (metaphorically speaking). Pre-requisites include a good memory, a map, strong lights and a bright crew. A raincoat for when it’s wet, wet, wet and you need a bit of shelter from the storm. Yes, the show must go on, even if you have to take the weather with you.

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? You’re in the jungle baby, you’ve got to roll with the punches. You don’t have to put on the red light, but it sure does keep the bees calmer when loading or unloading.

At some point, when it’s getting near dawn and mates close their tired eyes, you’ll be thinking there must be some kind of way out of here. Running over the same old ground, what have we found? Someone’s parked a vehicle in the way.

Wouldn’t it be nice if everything was simple. Daytime orientation gives clarity, but things don’t always go to plan. You can’t always get what you want, but if you keep a level head you just might find you get what you need…

But we are not quite there yet. Pollination really kicks in around labour weekend. Labour weekend – I get it, ha-ha.

Splitting hives is our start, necessary to increase numbers and prevent swarming. Strong hives with new queens entering orchards, gives growers the best chance to achieve pollination rates.

Spotting queens is a full-time job. With the cool wind in my hair, I get on my knees and pray that I will find her on the first frame. Dream on. Sometimes they are, but sometimes they hear us coming, our searches futile because she is hiding in the feeder. Or there she goes, over the side, – come on girl, don’t fear the reaper.

The work is picking up, life as a beekeeper is about to get stone cold crazy. Running on adrenaline is more than a feeling, it’s a real buzz. Do you feel like I do?

The times they are a changing. Time to kiss those sweet children of mine, for I hate to wake them up to say goodbye. Time to catch up with some mates – they say I’m crazy, but I have a good time, and most importantly time to accumulate some sleep, before I’m so tired I could cry.

Prepare yourselves fellow beeks. Eat well, stay cheery.

Dream until your dreams come true and I’ll see you on the Darkside of the moon.

Aimz.

Aimz is a second-generation commercial beekeeper in the Bay of Plenty who took up the hive-tool fulltime at the end of the 2024 honey season. Formerly a stay-at-home mum to four kids, she has now found her footing in the family business.