Bee Aware Month will highlight pollination benefits

Apiculture New Zealand will run Bee Aware Month (BAM), a month-long campaign designed to educate New Zealanders about bees. - Photo / File

Apiculture New Zealand (ApiNZ) is encouraging people to bring out their bee costumes and gardening gloves for Bee Aware Month (BAM).

This September, schools, councils, gardeners and bee enthusiasts all over the country will be getting involved in generating awareness about bees.

Apiculture New Zealand will run the annual event, a month-long campaign designed to educate New Zealanders about bees and celebrate their vital role in our biodiversity and economy.

Shining a spotlight on bee-loved pollinators

Kiwifruit, feijoas, chili peppers and coffee are just a few things that we wouldn't have without bees.

According to FAO, 75% of the world's food crops depend at least in part on pollination. The honey bee is the most widespread managed pollinator globally.

This year's theme, Pollination Illumination, is all about shining a spotlight on the benefits bees provide us through pollination.

"The pollination story is significant to New Zealand not only in agriculture and horticulture but in the role native bees play in maintaining our unique biodiversity," says Karin Kos, ApiNZ Chief Executive.

New Zealand's smaller native bees, of which there are 27 species, play an important role in pollinating native flora such as pohutukawa and harakeke.

Kos says that people in both rural and urban spaces can play a part in helping bees do their job by creating safe and nourishing spaces for them. This means growing bee-friendly plants and minimising the use of sprays.

A hive of activity

BAM will be launched with a family event co-organised with Wellington Botanic Garden and the Wellington Beekeepers Association at Treehouse Visitor Centre, Wellington Botanic Garden on 3 September.

The programme will feature a live display hive, educational walks and talks, drop-in
activities for kids and honey tasting.

Anyone interested in BAM can get involved and keep up-to-date with what's happening via the ApiNZ website BAM page.