The Future of Beekeeping Representation: Let’s Talk About It

  APIARIST’S OPINION: DARREN BAINBRIDGE 

When it comes to the future of beekeeping in New Zealand and how a national industry body should be structured, some might suggest I steer clear. But I’ve given this a lot of thought.

Darren Bainbridge.

As someone in my early 40s, my work and social circles tend to connect me with the “younger” generation of beekeepers – those who are more progressive in their thinking and open to new ideas. These are the people I speak with regularly through my work, and they’ve shaped a lot of how I see the industry.

So, after reading the Getting Round the Table report from the April 10 meeting of industry “leaders” where the need for fresh energy and leadership was clearly voiced, I feel it’s worth offering a view from that newer generation.

The Status Quo Isn’t Cutting it

It’s become more and more obvious in recent years that our two main advocacy bodies – Apiculture New Zealand (ApiNZ) and New Zealand Beekeeping Inc (NZBI) – aren’t really working for commercial beekeepers.

ApiNZ may have more pull in Wellington, but many I speak with see it as overly bureaucratic, corporate, and out of step with the real challenges on the ground. It hasn’t proven nimble enough to respond to the rapid changes our industry has gone through.

NZBI, on the other hand, feels like the opposite extreme – decisions made informally around a kitchen table, more focused on the past than the present, and largely disconnected from today’s market realities and consumer demands.

Neither group reflects the mindset of the hardworking, forward-looking beekeepers who are solving real problems everyday just to keep their businesses alive. Why would they back an organisation that’s stuck in the past or constantly running at a loss?

Most beekeepers I talk with have tuned out of the ongoing drama between these organisations. These battles – and the personalities behind them – have been around since the days of the National Beekeepers Association and Federated Farmers. The average beekeeper is over it.

Where do we Go from Here?

Honestly, I don’t believe the grievances of the past can just be set aside. History shows us they keep popping up. If we’re serious about change, we need to start fresh – with new people and no baggage.

That’s why I was encouraged to see broad agreement at the April 10 meeting that fresh leadership is needed. I’m not sure they meant starting from scratch, but in my view, that’s exactly what we need.

We need a national structure that brings in the next generation of leaders – those not yet jaded or tied to the old debates. A structure where regional hubs feed into a central national body makes sense. It’s practical and allows local voices to be heard while aligning nationally.

But here’s the problem: the group of so-called “industry leaders” who met on April 10 don’t truly represent the diversity or current reality of the industry. When there’s still an “us vs them” mentality between beekeepers, packers, and marketers, we’ve got a problem. We’re two sides of the same coin. A body formed by one group alone won’t work for the whole.

Engaging in Wellington

We may not be able to change how government operates, but we can do a much better job of engaging with it.

I’ll give ApiNZ credit – they’ve done reasonably well working with government. But I don’t think most beekeepers feel well represented, and their declining membership shows it.

Part of the issue is the tone. Communications often feel sterilised by “Wellington-speak” – a far cry from the straight-talking style of those who spend their days in the field. Beekeepers want clarity, action, and problem-solving – not fluff.

And then there’s the question of transparency. How has so much money been spent with so little return? What are the real agendas around the board table? These are fair questions, and it’s time they were openly discussed.

We all come with our own interests, whether you’re a beekeeper, marketer, or packer. But let’s be upfront about those. A new body that builds trust through transparency will be far more likely to win support, attract funding, and bring in new leaders.

If we do that, we’ll still need to maintain a strong connection with government. That means hiring a capable Wellington-based team – whether staff or consultants – to do that job. But the structure and cost of that team should fit the budget, not the other way around. We've seen what happens when it doesn’t.

A Possible Path Forward

If we’re going to build something new, I think it needs to bring all parts of the industry under one roof – beekeepers and packers alike – but with separate streams of representation. Each group should have their own admin teams to serve their specific needs, but share a central Wellington policy team to speak to government with one voice.

That’s where I think ApiNZ’s model missed the mark, and where beekeepers still have reservations around the representation structure in the recently proposed unification model with the UMF Honey Association (UMFHA). There’s been a mismatch between the needs and personalities of beekeepers, marketer, and the expectations of government. No one person or board can represent all of that – and expecting them to do so was a setup for failure.

A potential governance and management structure for how the apiculture industry could work together, provided by Darren Bainbridge.

The proposed merger with UMFHA has a lot of merit, from a unification, funding and cost saving perspective. Reducing overheads makes a lot of sense. We are a small industry, and should possibly go one step further – bringing the American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan administrative team and overheads under the same roof, could deliver even greater savings.

But the representation structure still needs refining. That’s why I’m proposing a dual-board model: one for producers and one for packers/marketers. Each would direct their own administrative teams, while both would contribute to and be represented by a shared Wellington-based policy team.

Let’s Hear from the Next Generation

I know there are many out there who quietly agree with much – maybe even all (I can but wish) – of what I’ve said here. I know this, because I’ve had these conversations off the record. Now’s the time to speak up.

Our industry is at a crossroads. If new voices don’t come forward now, the next opportunity for change may be lost for a long time coming.

And if you’re wondering where a venue for such a discussion to take place to share your thoughts might be, I’d say right here – this magazine. It’s a neutral platform, and it’s open to all.

So, here’s a challenge: I encourage you to fill the editor’s inbox with a couple of thoughts that could provide the industry with the answers it needs. Send your thoughts to the editor, Patrick Dawkins, at editor@apiadvocate.co.nz and help move the conversation forward. You don’t have to be a beekeeper. If you’re part of the wider industry, ask yourself this:

What would it take to motivate you to join a new national industry group?

Darren Bainbridge is the founder and director of MyApiary, management software for beekeeping and honey business that spans New Zealand, Australia and North America. He has been at the helm of the business since 2016 and has kept a small amount of beehives since 2012.