Creating a buzz on World Bee Day
The message for the 2025 World Bee Day is a call to action for sustainable practices that support bees, improve food security, and protect biosecurity in the face of mounting climate pressures.
Two key suppliers to the beekeeping industry have merged.
From April 1, Ecroyd Beekeeping Supplies Ltd (EBS) and Beetek Ltd are merged as Ecrotek Ltd, retaining the strengths of both businesses and creating a nationwide supplier.
Ecrotek will have warehousing and distribution in the North and South Island. Hobbyists and beekeepers will be able to buy products from Ecrotek retail stores in Christchurch and Auckland and via its website from July.
The Ecroyd family has supplied beekeeping equipment and honey products since 1913 when it started making comb foundation. EBS operates in Christchurch.
Beetek, a specialist maker of plastic hive wear, was founded in the early 2000’s in South Auckland.
“The intent of the combined business is to bring a higher level of service and product supply to the industry. We’ll achieve this with a new, well stocked North Island warehouse and distribution centre and a retail store,” says co-owner Stuart Ecroyd.
“We will also offer a new e-commerce website which will offer all beekeepers the chance to purchase a wide range of beekeeping supplies online,” says co-owner Dave Wrathall.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.