Over 30 beehives seized following spate of thefts

The seizure comes after a spate of beehive thefts in the region. Photo / Getty Images

More than 30 beehives have been seized in Northland after an officer noticed suspicious boxes of beehives that were freshly painted at a property in Waiomio.

The seizure comes after a spate of beehive thefts in the region this year.

Sergeant Kevin Milne was at the property on an unrelated matter last week when he noticed two trailers loaded with beehives at the rear-end of the house.

His suspicions arose when he noticed some of the boxes were freshly painted, police said.

He took note of a registration number stamped on some of the hives.

The number matched that registered to a Mid North beekeeper who had reported a number of thefts over the past year.

Police obtained a warrant and returned to the address, and seized 34 beehive boxes.

A 54-year-old man living at the address would be interviewed this week, before any decision on charges was made, police said.

Work was continuing to find the owners of the other hives.

Police launched a Northland-wide campaign earlier this year after spate of beehive thefts which was fuelled by soaring demand for Manuka honey.

The public are urged to call *555 from their cell phones if they see any suspicious movement of beehives, especially if they are being transported late at night, as most legitimate movement of hives occurs around dawn or dusk.