Do I need much space for a hive?

No. A single hive needs only about a square metre of ground plus a clear flight path. Plenty of urban sections in New Zealand run a hive or two without issue, as long as the entrance faces away from neighbours and there is a barrier to lift the bees up over fence height.

Is it expensive to start?

Budget a few hundred dollars for a hive, a suit, basic tools and a smoker, plus the cost of a nucleus colony of bees. Registration itself is free. The ongoing costs are varroa treatments and the annual American foulbrood levy, both of which are modest for a single hive.

Can I keep bees if I am away during the week?

Yes, as long as you can reliably check and treat the hive on a regular cycle. Bees do not need daily attention, but varroa monitoring and disease inspection cannot be skipped, so you need to commit to a routine through the warmer months.

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Know someone in New Zealand who is into their garden, or wants to be? A Planting Season subscription gives them unlimited beds in the garden planner, the Pro plants, the Orchard, the Flock, Bees, Livestock and Worms records, and Projects, on top of the free planting calendar for their region. All prices are in New Zealand dollars.

Annual

$44.95 / year

A full year of Pro, tuned to their region.

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$129 once

Pro forever, the gift that keeps growing.

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The app is live in New Zealand, so a gift can be used the day it arrives. Explore the free website tools as well, and see pricing for full details.