Ten Beekeepers Help Shape New Industry Body

Progress towards the reshaping of a national-level beekeeping industry body is continuing its slow but now, seemingly, steady progress as the calendar flips to 2026. A group of ten beekeepers have been tasked with assessing a “draft foundation document”, having met once in December and planning to do so again in January.

For several months Apiculture New Zealand (ApiNZ) CEO Karin Kos and New Zealand Beekeeping Inc (NZBI) advisor Ian Fletcher have been hashing out what they see as the framework for an industry body which will better appeal to beekeepers than their existing models, and meet the needs of the industry.

The membership structure – who is included, and how – has been a sticking point in discussions. Agreement was reached between the two groups to present a ‘one member, one vote’ concept led by commercial beekeepers to a select group of beekeepers on December 18 via a video call with Kos and Fletcher facilitating. The purpose, function and governance of a potential new group were all addressed.

“We covered a lot of things in an initial meeting. I thought it was great, positive and we received some good feedback,” Kos says.

“People should be reassured that we have something and are testing it with a good group of beekeepers.”

The group included a mix of North and South Island business owners. From the North were Liam Gavin, Jason Marshall, Rory O’Brien, Kowan Eyers, Cameron Martin, Jaime McRae and Jason Prior. The South Island reps were Matt Goldsworthy, Carolyn McMahon and Peter Ward.

Both Kos and Fletcher say it was made clear through earlier consultation with beekeepers that a commercial beekeeper led group is desired, and the draft concept respects that.

“As a starting point the one member, one vote system delivers beekeepers what they have said they want, in a non-complicated and a non-artificial way. It is easy to understand,” Fletcher says.

Another meeting with the group of 10 beekeepers is expected to take place the week of January 12 to further discuss the draft structure. Beyond that, ApiNZ plans to share more details with their members at a January 28 Special General Meeting, being held to present adjustments to their constitution required under the Incorporated Societies Act. Following that, more details are expected to be shared and consultation with the wider beekeeping industry take place.