A Northlander was able to use an apiarist's name to commercially extract just under 2000kg of honey from beehives police alleged were stolen, a court has been told.
Justin Mathew Howes, 25, of Titoki, has denied seven charges and has elected a judge-alone trial in the Whangarei District Court.
There are four charges of theft of beehives, two of causing loss by deception, and one of making a false statement.
Police allege between June and October last year, Howes stole two 20-foot containers that contained beehives, boxes, bases, frames and other beekeeping equipment.
The items, worth $46,000, belonged to New Zealand Queen Bee.