12 Jun 2018

NZ's healthy bee population masks serious threats

From Nine To Noon, 9:34 am on 12 June 2018

High demand for Manuka honey has fueled a "gold rush" in the industry and is driving up the demand for hives. Bee numbers are high with 887,510 registered beehives in the country producing almost 15-thousand tonnes of honey last year. Hive losses are relatively low but with a big population comes risks from disease and parasites quickly spreading. Kathryn speaks to Dr David Pattemore, a pollination specialist about the risks of behind New Zealand's healthy bee numbers. Also Wellington beekeeper, Frank Linsday.