The Whakatipu Beekeepers Club boasts members from Wānaka to Kingston, and aims to support the district’s beekeepers — and protect our pollinators.
Club president Robyn Newman says there’s a growing number of beekepers in the area, and they felt there was a need to establish a club for people to connect and share ideas, "as we all face the same issues".
"The club now has a good number of expert beekeepers, who have an understanding of the local geography, climate and beekeeping challenges, and they provide encouragement, support and mentorship."
Additionally, they provide help to the community.
It’s currently "swarm season", which lasts from October till about Christmas, where bees travel to find a new hive so they can reproduce.
Newman says if anyone does come across a swarm, they can contact the club, via its Facebook page, ‘Whakatipu Beekeepers’, and a member will go and check it out as soon as they can.
They’ve already attended multiple swarms in Shotover Country, she says.
"Swarming isn’t always a good thing for the bees as they don’t always find hives which are healthy for them."
The club’s also welcoming new members, ranging from new hobbyists to commercial beekeepers, or those keen to start but wanting some guidance.
They meet on the first Tuesday of each month during the beekeeping season — meetings include in-hive experiences, guest speakers and social gatherings.
Anyone keen to join in can either join the Facebook group, or email whakatipubeekeepers @gmail.com
