How many hives should a beginner start with?
Two colonies are often more instructive than one because they allow comparison and limited resource balancing, but only start with what you can register, inspect and manage well.
Help
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions from new and developing beekeepers.
Can I keep bees in town?
Possibly, but check council rules, property permission, neighbours, flight paths, water, public safety and nuisance controls before bringing bees home.
Do I need to register one hive?
New Zealand beekeeper and apiary obligations apply even at small scale. Confirm the current process with the AFB Management Agency.
Can I sell surplus honey?
Selling, donating or bartering can trigger food-safety, tutin, labelling and processing requirements. Use MPI My Food Rules and obtain current advice.
Can this academy replace hands-on training?
No. Join a bee club, work with a competent mentor and use official disease-recognition training.
What if I suspect an exotic pest?
Preserve evidence and report unusual pests, disease or large-scale losses promptly to MPI’s pest and disease hotline.
What does ABC–XYZ mean here?
A complete, cross-referenced approach—from anatomy and apiaries through yield, zero-tolerance AFB practice and professional systems.