Annual Report

2023 / 2024
Contents

Welcome from the Board Chair & the General Manager 3

Objectives of the National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan 6

The AFB NPMP Change Programme 7

Reported Incidence of American Foulbrood Over a 12-Month Period 14

AFB Hotspot Map 2023/2024 17

Monitoring & Auditing Beekeepers’ AFB Elimination Efforts 19

AFB Recognition Training 24

Other Support 24

The Management Agency Board & Team 25

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 2

Welcome from the Board Chair
& the General Manager

We are pleased to share this Annual Report with beekeepers and the wider primary industry to provide
insight into the implementation of the American Foulbrood (AFB) National Pest Management Plan (NPMP)
and the progress The Management Agency team and beekeepers have been making.

2023/24 was a financially challenging year for many beekeepers. This was reflected in a continued reduction
of the number of beekeepers and colonies. Between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024, there was a 9.8% decline
in beekeeper numbers (from 9,533 to 8,592) and an 11.7% decline in registered colony numbers (from
608,607 to 541,263). At the same time, there was a 9.6% reduction in AFB cases (from 3,451 to 3,118).

While the decline in AFB case numbers is encouraging, when taken as a percentage of total colony numbers
the national AFB incidence has risen slightly from 0.56% in 2022/23 to 0.57% during 2023/24. We view
this further reduction in colony numbers as an opportunity to make significant progress in reducing the
incidence of AFB by working closely with the beekeepers that remain in the industry.

In 2023/24, the decline in colony numbers affected The Management Agency’s primary revenue stream
(beekeeper levies) with a 16% reduction in levy income which was $1,378,501 compared to $1,640,183
in 2022/23. Registration fees received from AFB Recognition course registrations showed a 53% decline
to $34,539 compared to $74,349 in 2022/23. This reduction reflects the removal of the ‘fees-free’ tertiary
education and training scheme affecting Level 3 Apiculture students who accounted for a significant
proportion of course registrations. In response to this financial pressure, we adapted and reduced
operational expenditure by 7% (compared to 2022/23), by identifying areas of cost savings and re-prioritising
funding to areas of greatest need. We are committed to continually ensuring that our income is utilised in
the most cost-effective and impactful ways.

The number of Authorised Persons (AP2) inspections carried out declined as a result of the reduced levy
income. During 2023/24, 3,562 apiaries and 20,846 hives were inspected by AP2s, which was down from
3,793 apiaries and 23,377 hives inspected over the same period in 2022/23 (a decrease of 6% and 10.8%,
respectively). Despite the reduced number of inspections, AP2s found 596 cases of AFB during inspections.
The number of cases found by AP2s continues to be disproportionately higher than that identified by
beekeepers themselves.

With reduced funding for future AP2 inspections, The Management Agency’s expectations of self-reporting
by beekeepers will increase. During 2023/24, the number of AFB cases self-reported by beekeepers was
2,522, a 6.2% decrease from 2,689 cases of AFB reported by beekeepers the year before. For the sake of
the industry, we can’t afford to become complacent. We urge beekeepers to identify, report, and destroy
AFB cases within 7 days as they are required to do. This will allow us to deploy AP2s to monitor and audit
beekeepers’ efforts at eliminating AFB from their operations and investigate sources of AFB where AFB
outbreaks are persistent.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 3

Since submitting a proposal for a new AFB NPMP to the previous Minister for Biosecurity in March 2023
(an overview of the AFB NPMP proposed changes can be found here), The Management Agency has actively
engaged with the office of the new Minister for Biosecurity to progress the review of the AFB NPMP. Over
the coming months, we will be working closely with MPI on progressing the draft of the new NPMP through
Cabinet and the Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO). Subject to no further amendments, the new NPMP
is expected to come into effect by mid-2025. We will keep all beekeepers updated through our regular
communication channels.

Despite the delays to the NPMP review, in late 2023 we forged ahead, laying the groundwork for the
implementation of the new NPMP. We introduced beekeepers to our AFB NPMP Change Programme and
its five priorities (the AFB NPMP Change Programme can be found here). The objective of the AFB NPMP
Change Programme is to pivot the sector’s focus from presence/absence of AFB to a long-term behavioural
change based on the implementation of sound biosecurity/AFB elimination practices by beekeepers. The
Management Agency is committed to achieving this through education, training, the review and amendment
of Disease Elimination Conformity Agreements (DECAs), and by providing information to all beekeepers at
the right time, right place, and in the right format through our comms strategy.

Beekeepers will have noticed that we have significantly stepped up our communications with the sector in
the past year. This increased interaction, both electronically and face-to-face, has had an immediate impact
in communicating our role to the sector as well as reminding beekeepers of their obligations and clarifying
the support that the Agency can provide beekeepers in their AFB elimination efforts. We will continue this
level of interaction in the coming year and additionally step up our education efforts with the launch of a
training programme specifically developed for commercial beekeeping operations.

We are also continuing to enhance the functionality of HiveHub. For example, we have now geo-coded the
location of an apiary to a specific Regional Council. Our intention is to classify regions on a simple scale
and focus our efforts on those locations where the incidence of AFB remains persistently high. Significantly
reducing the incidence of AFB in a defined geographic area has been achieved – but to be successful it
requires a concerted and collaborative effort on the part of all beekeepers in that location.

In November 2023, Dennis Crowley stepped down from both the Apiculture New Zealand and The
Management Agency Board. In December 2023, Murray Elwood was welcomed as Dennis’ replacement and
as the Apiculture New Zealand Board representative on The Management Agency Board.

After six years (which included an extended term), in June 2024, Gabriel Torres and Jason Ward completed
their respective terms on the Board. Together, Gabriel and Jason brought strong knowledge and expertise of
the commercial beekeeping sector and have been present through the various changes to The Management
Agency. We would like to recognize and thank both Gabriel and Jason for their significant contribution
over this extended period of time. In July 2024, The Management Agency Board welcomed Lubomir Dudek
to replace one of the two commercial Board member vacancies. This brings the representation on The
Management Agency Board to an even split of three hobbyists and three commercial beekeepers, while
continuing to carry a vacancy as a cost-saving measure.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 4

In April 2024 and after over four years with The Management Agency team, Leonie Elliott-Mason finished her
full-time role as an Apiary Coordinator. Leonie continued to work in a part time capacity until June to train
her replacement. Leonie was an integral part of the team and has assisted hundreds of beekeepers during
her time with the Agency with her immense knowledge and her impressive ability to make beekeepers feel
heard. In April 2024, The Management Agency welcomed Paula Michelle Rich as Leonie’s replacement. In her
short time with the Agency, Paula has already added significant value.

AFB elimination requires collective effort. We would like to thank those beekeepers who have been diligently
managing the elimination of this disease within their operations and express our gratitude to all beekeepers
for the ongoing support of the work The Management Agency team does each day. We look forward to
continuing to work with you in the coming year.

Mark Dingle Niharika (Niha) Long

Board Chair General Manager

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 5

Objectives of the National American The Biosecurity (National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan) Order 1998 (NPMP) specifies the legal
obligations and powers for the management of AFB in New Zealand. The current NPMP was amended on 18

Foulbrood Pest Management Plan September 2012 and supersedes the original NPMP made on 7 September 1998. The current NPMP is under
review and will continue to be in force until approval of proposed changes in 2025 by the Minister for Biosecurity.

Objectives
Primary of the National American
objective
Foulbrood Pest Management Plan
To manage AFB in order to reduce its reported incidence by an
average of 5% each year in managed beehives.

Secondary objectives
1. T
 o locate all places where beehives are situated 2. To identify AFB cases in beehives. 3. T
 o eliminate AFB in beehives by destroying any
and ensure that each honeybee colony is cases and associated bee products, as well as
inspected at least once each year for AFB. destroying or sterilizing associated appliances.

Principal measures
1. All beehive locations are 2. All beehives are inspected 3. All cases of AFB 4. A
 ll honey bees, bee 5. D
 isease Elimination 6. T
 he Management Agency
notified as an apiary. at least once per year by a are notified to products, and appliances Conformity Agreement monitors beekeeper
competent person. The Management Agency. associated with AFB are (DECA) holders eliminate compliance with their
destroyed; and other AFB from their beehives. elimination obligations and
actions are undertaken to undertakes enforcement
prevent the spread of AFB. actions when appropriate.

HOW WE’LL DO IT
Beekeepers are responsible for Beekeepers are responsible for Beekeepers are responsible for Beekeepers are responsible for Beekeepers may enter into The Management Agency is
registering apiaries with The ensuring that their beehives notifying all cases of AFB to The destroying cases of AFB and an agreement with The responsible for monitoring
Management Agency. are inspected at least once per Management Agency. undertaking actions to prevent Management Agency whereby beekeepers’ compliance
year by a person competent the spread of AFB. they agree to eliminate AFB with their legal obligations
in recognising AFB as part from their beehives using the under the first five principal
of an annual Certificate of AFB elimination practices and measures, and for undertaking
Inspection, or as agreed in procedures specified in the enforcement actions where
their Disease Elimination agreement. The Management necessary.
Conformity Agreement with The Agency provides these
Management Agency. beekeepers with an exemption
from the annual Certificate
of Inspection requirement
in recognition of their
commitment to eliminating AFB
from their beehives.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 6

The AFB NPMP
Change Programme

On 17 November 2023, The Management Agency Board endorsed the commencement of the AFB NPMP
Change Programme (Figure 1). The AFB NPMP Change Programme takes a holistic approach by:

 Providing a framework for the implementation of the proposed changes to the new AFB NPMP.

 Ensuring changes are future-focused and executed/embedded in a positive manner.

The primary aim of the AFB NPMP Change Programme is to accelerate the elimination of AFB from managed
beehives in New Zealand by transforming beekeepers focus from the ‘presence or absence of AFB’ to the
‘implementation of good AFB elimination practices’.

The AFB NPMP Change Programme contains five priorities which will have a significant impact on the
long-term direction of The Management Agency, its AFB elimination objectives, and the investment
required. Each priority has touchpoints with the wider AFB NPMP Change Programme and the respective
regulatory changes.

The operational delivery of the five Priorities is through The Management Agency’s Annual Work Plan with
sequential tasks spanning the 2024 and 2025 calendar years (dependent on resources and capacity).

PRIORITY 5 Further details about the AFB

Resources NPMP Change Programme can
be found here.

AFB NPMP
PRIORITY 1 PRIORITY 4
Change
HiveHub Communications
Programme

PRIORITY 2
PRIORITY 3
Commercial DECAs
Training

Figure 1: Priorities for the implementation of the AFB NPMP Change Programme.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 7

Progress updates
Priority 1: HiveHub upgrades and enhancements
The foundational element for the implementation of the AFB NPMP Change Programme is governed by
the capability and functionality of HiveHub. HiveHub continues to be the central information management
system for The Management Agency. Several changes were completed in 2023/24 (Figure 2) to support
increased usage of this system by beekeepers.

Upgrades to New interface

the HiveHub mobile for HiveHub to receive
Improved security
app to ensure ongoing AFB test results from
upgrades including offline
compatibility with the diagnostic laboratories
security settings.
latest Android and Apple (post Ministerial approval
operating systems. in 2025).

Improvements to the Cybersecurity assessment

GPS functionality for AP2 and remedial works on
inspection records. security vulnerabilities

Figure 2: Changes completed for HiveHub upgrades and enhancements during 2023/24.

Priority 2: Commercial beekeepers training and upskilling

Commercial beekeepers collectively own more than 60% of the honeybee colonies in New Zealand. Despite
accounting for over half of all AFB cases, the annual incidence of AFB in their beehives is typically less than
1% and frequently much lower due to the large number of colonies owned (1,000 – 20,000). Employee
beekeepers looking after honeybee husbandry may often be unaware of the benefits of AFB elimination for
either their employer or themselves and their practices may or may not be appropriate for the scale of the
beekeeping operation they are now working for.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 8

During 2023/24, The Management Agency completed the first three stages of developing commercial
beekeeper training which is focussed on the learning needs of commercial beekeepers, and those
employing staff with responsibility for honeybee husbandry (Figure 3).

Sep - Dec 2024

Sept - Nov 2023 Mid 2025
Training content
Gap analysis assembly in Go live
progress

Dec 2023 - - Aug 2024 Early 2024

Commercial Core modules Training open for
operators identified & consultation
interviewed developed

Figure 3: A timeline of the stages of development of the commercial training programme

The scope of the training combines the current educational gaps that we have identified exist within
such operations and the areas where commercial operators have signalled requiring assistance from
us (Figure 4). Based on feedback received, The Management Agency Commercial Training will deliver
the following:

 Focus on the practical challenges of eliminating AFB from a commercial beekeeping operation.

 Educate employees with responsibility for honeybee husbandry to carry out the AFB elimination
practices and processes specified in the beekeepers DECA.

 Provide knowledge and insights on best practice bee husbandry and ways to integrate AFB
elimination while balancing competing priorities.

 Provide education and clarity on The Management Agency’s expectations for DECAs.

 Define success measures for various-sized operations.

 Develop scalable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 9

 DECA Hive
Swabbing

Current
Staff Hive
Educational
Training Inspections
Gaps

The
Management Quarantining,
Agency’s Hygiene
Resources

Figure 4: Core training modules within The Management Agency’s Commercial training course

The Management Agency will consult with commercial beekeepers in early 2025 on options for the mode of
delivery of the training (i.e. either Agency-led or commercial operator-led).

Priority 3: The Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement

(DECA) review project
Over 56% of New Zealand beekeepers are DECA holders who collectively own 94% of honeybee colonies
in New Zealand. Effective and consistent implementation of AFB elimination practices and procedures
specified within DECAs by beekeepers should be sufficient to achieve an annual 20% – 30% reduction in the
national incidence of AFB – well beyond the current 5% reduction target. As this has not been achieved, it
is likely that:

1. The practices and procedures set out in the agreements are insufficient to eliminate AFB (or
maintain at zero).

2. Too many beekeepers are not accurately implementing the practices and procedures set out in
the agreements.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 10

We commenced the DECA review project in 2023/24 to deliver new capability that will be the primary driver
of AFB elimination from managed beehives in New Zealand. When paired with appropriate communications,
training, and HiveHub enhancement support, this phased, multi-year project (Figure 5) will:

 Ensure practices and procedures set out in current DECA agreements are reviewed and amended,
based on AFB risk.

 Ensure the DECA agreements are fit for purpose, scalable, and relevant to each beekeeper’s operation
for eliminating AFB from their beehives.

 Provide clarity to the sector of The Management Agency’s decision-making processes for granting,
amending, or revoking a DECA.

 Audit /assess beekeepers’ implementation of their DECAs in relation to AFB incidence.

Initial feedback Historic (pre 2005)

Existing procedures
sought from Board DECAs scoped and
in DECAs reviewed.
and staff. triaged for review.

First round of
amendments to
DECA policies and
hobbyists and
pathways reviewed.
commercial DECA
templates.

Figure 5: Phases of The Management Agency’s DECA review project

We will be consulting with all beekeepers on the structure of future DECAs in 2025 supported by robust
communications prior to a phased roll out, based on assessments of individual beekeepers’ AFB history.

Priority 4: Building The Management Agency’s communication strategy

Our communications and engagement with beekeepers are foundational elements of the AFB NPMP Change
Programme. With an aim to create a culture of accepting and tackling AFB as a normal part of beekeeping
operations, our communications strategy has been designed to:

 Address the gaps in the sector’s knowledge and understanding of its functions.

 Provide easy access to essential AFB-related information and resources to assist beekeepers with
their legal obligations and AFB elimination efforts.

 Remove AFB stigma and dispel AFB misinformation.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 11

  Outline success stories and identify champions in the industry who have successfully achieved
AFB elimination.

During 2023/24, we implemented the following to re-engage, educate, inspire, and empower beekeepers
with the right knowledge to implement effective AFB elimination processes (Figure 6).

 Introduction of The Management Agency’s quarterly newsletter sent to all registered beekeepers and
beekeeping clubs.

 Re-started our social media account to achieve greater reach with the sector through regular posts
and interactions. This has led to an 113% increase in Follower counts.

 Undertook 14 in-person engagements with hobbyists and commercial beekeepers across Wellington,
Waikato, Manawatu-Whanganui, Nelson, Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay,
and Auckland (city).

 Audited and amended all outgoing communications to beekeepers.

 Released several flowcharts, several frequently asked questions (FAQs), and industry announcements
to support the sector’s understanding of The Management Agency’s decision-making and
administrative processes.

 Began re-designing the structure of The Management Agency’s new website to make it fit-for-purpose
and easily navigable.

Comms
Newsletter
Audit

Club
Resource
Social Media Meetings &
Library
Events

Website
Refresh

Figure 6: The Management Agency’s avenues of engagement

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 12

Priority 5: Efficient resource management
Current economic conditions have been challenging for the beekeeping industry and an 11% decline in
colony numbers between June 2023 and May 2024 (from 608,607 to 541,263) negatively impacted our
revenue. The increased level of AFB risks faced by beekeepers due to the increasing number of abandoned/
neglected apiaries, rate of inflation, and rising administrative and operational costs to implement the AFB
NPMP requires The Management Agency to administer beekeeper levy funds carefully with decisions on
expenditure carefully considered.

During 2023/24, The Management Agency undertook the following steps as part of our review of existing
resources, operational expenditure, and the identification of cost-saving areas.

 Re-prioritising funding from honey surveillance to targeted apiary inspections in areas of high AFB risk.

 Closing the Wellington office that was shared with Apiculture New Zealand.

 A $4,015 reduction in postage costs associated with the New Zealand Beekeeper magazine moving to
online in the latter half of 2023/24.

 Reducing the number of in-person Board meetings and trialling more frequent virtual meetings.

The Management Agency’s 47 Authorised Persons Level 2 (AP2) are frontline staff who assist in
implementing the educational and monitoring/auditing aspects of the AFB NPMP Change Programme.
During 2023/24, the following were undertaken to improve the efficiency of The Management Agency’s pool
of AP2s which have downstream impacts on expenditure.

 A review of the capabilities within the current AP2 pool and performance management.

 Continuous improvement of the service provided by AP2s, based on survey results from beekeepers
who have been inspected recently.

 Identifying potential AP2s to take over those who are due to retire (succession planning).

 Balancing the number of AP2s required per region and strategically recruiting AP2s to ensure an even
spread of AP2 presence across New Zealand (i.e. reduced travel costs).

 Tapping into AP2 local knowledge to monitor for blind spots within AFB surveillance processes.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 13

Reported Incidence of American
Foulbrood Over a 12-Month Period

In the 12 months to 31 May 2024, 3,118 cases (0.57% of colonies) of AFB were notified compared with
3,451 cases (0.56% of colonies) notified the previous year. The total number of AFB cases being reported is
inclusive of beekeepers who were de-registered during the reporting period and benefitted from accurate
geocoding of apiaries due to recent improvements made within HiveHub. The annual reported incidence of
AFB since 1998 is shown in Figure 7.

Reported AFB incidence 1998 – 2024

4,000 0.6

3,500
0.5
3,000
0.4
2,500

2,000 0.3

1,500
0.2
1,000
0.1
500

0 0
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

# Beekeeper # AP2 % Colonies

Figure 7: Reported AFB incidence 1998 – 2024

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 14

Regional breakdown of AFB
Reporting by both beekeepers and AP2s led to The Management Agency receiving 2,070 AFB notifications
during the 2023/24 year, compared to 2,044 AFB notifications during the 2022/23 year—a 1.3% increase.

The regional breakdown of AFB cases for 2023/24 (Figure 8) is indicative of a positive downward trend.
With the exception of Canterbury and Southland, other regions such as Auckland, Waikato, Wellington,
Nelson/Tasman, Marlborough, and Otago have shown marked improvements in the management of
their AFB cases.

The decline in AFB cases in the above regions is due to improved AFB management practices being actively
undertaken by beekeepers, under the guidance of The Management Agency’s Operations Managers. Other
factors include:

 Beekeepers changing their management practices to minimize the risk of AFB spread from one
colony to another.

 Destruction of old/used beekeeping gear associated with dead-outs.

 Improved traceability of hive movements between apiaries (i.e. minimising the spread of AFB by
keeping hives together).

 Beekeepers with a known AFB issue either leaving the beekeeping industry or improving their AFB
management practices.

 Prompt compliance and enforcement actions on a minority of high-risk beekeepers, to ensure they no
longer pose an AFB risk to neighbouring beekeepers.

As a result, AFB cases were being found as light infections and fewer repeat AFB cases originating from the
same apiaries were reported.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 15

Regional Breakdown of AFB Cases 1 June - 31 May

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500

400

300

200

100

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22-23 23-24

Figure 8: Regional breakdown of AFB cases across 2022/23 and 2023/24

AFB cases in Gisborne have been reported only in a handful of commercial beekeeping operations. This
suggests AFB elimination in this region is achievable and The Management Agency will continue working
with these beekeeping operations to ensure they succeed in their AFB elimination efforts.

More work ahead

Two regions that have shown an increase in reported cases of AFB compared to the previous reporting
period are Canterbury (138 extra cases) and Southland (37 extra cases).

In Canterbury, 29% of the total AFB cases for 2023/24 (140 out of 481) were associated with:

 63 cases from six high-risk beekeepers, and

 77 cases from 11 beekeepers who had multiple AFB outbreaks and have since left the industry.

Similarly, 66.3% of the total AFB cases for 2023/24 (71 out of 107) in Southland were associated with:

 54 cases from a single high-risk beekeeper, and

 17 cases from five beekeepers who had a persistent AFB outbreak and have since left the industry.

Over the course of the next 18 months, The Management Agency will continue working with the beekeepers
from these regions to assist them with a decline in reported cases of AFB.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 16

 AFB Hotspot
Map 2023/2024

20+
Case Quantity Key

15

Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Esri, HERE

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 17

Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Esri, HERE
Beekeepers, registered apiaries, colonies
Beekeeper and apiary numbers are continuing to decline (Figure 9). As of 31 May 2024, there were 8,592
registered beekeepers (down from 9,533 the previous year) and 53,355 registered apiaries (down from
57,139 the previous year).

The number of colonies (Figure 10) located on registered apiaries declined by 11.7% from 608,607 recorded
one year earlier to 541,263 colonies as of 31 May 2024.

Beekeeper, apiary, and colony stats 1998-2024

70,000

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

# Beekeepers # Apiaries

Figure 9: Beekeeper and Apiary statistics, 1998 - 2024

1,000,000
900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

Figure 10: Colony statistics, 1998 - 2024

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 18

Monitoring & Auditing Beekeepers’
AFB Elimination Efforts

In addition to monitoring the annual reported incidence of AFB, The Management Agency also monitors and
audits the following beekeeper actions to achieve the NPMP’s objectives of AFB elimination.

 Notification of places as apiaries

 Annual Disease returns (ADRs)

 Certificates of Inspection (COIs)

 Notification of AFB cases

Apiary and beekeeper registrations

During 2023/24, a total of 5,988 new apiaries were registered, compared with 7,635 new apiaries being
registered for the same period in 2022/23. Apiary deregistrations slowed by 15.3% with 9,838 apiaries being
deregistered during 2023/24, compared to 11,613 apiaries deregistered during 2022/23.

A total of 638 new beekeepers registered during 2023/24, down from 1,147 in 2022/23 (a 40.8% decline).
The number of beekeeper deregistrations decreased slightly to 1,878, compared to 1,932 beekeeper
de-registrations the previous year.

Apiary Condition Assessment

The Management Agency’s AP2s regularly encounter neglected apiaries. As these can pose AFB risk to
neighbouring beekeepers, The Management Agency introduced an Apiary Condition Assessment Key
(Figure 11), which ensures a consistent approach when classifying apiaries during every AP2 inspection.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 19

Apiary Condition Assessment Key

Apiary All hives Dead outs Hive Frame

Condition populated present ware condition

If present, dead
Tidy and well Frames easy to
Good Yes / No outs are properly
maintained. remove.
blocked.

Some hives well

Multiple dead
maintained, Frames not easy to
Poor No outs on site, some
others in state of inspect.
accessible to bees.
disrepair.

Multiple dead Visual inspection

outs, no evidence is difficult or
of beekeeping Grass overgrown, impossible to
Neglected No activity for hives in state of complete due to
extended period. disrepair. frames glued to
Dead outs boxes or frame
accessible to bees. deterioration.

Figure 11: The Management Agency’s Apiary Condition Assessment Key for AP2 inspections

Unregistered apiaries
The number of unregistered apiaries identified by The Management Agency decreased by 1.9%; from 207 in
2022/23 to 203 unregistered apiaries in 2023/24.

 104 of the 203 (51.2%) unregistered apiaries were found belonging to 57 registered beekeepers. 29 of
these 104 unregistered apiaries were found in a neglected state. A total of 17 AFB cases were found
across six apiaries.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 20

  Most of the unregistered apiaries were subsequently either registered or removed by the beekeeper.
Of the 203 unregistered apiaries, 22 apiaries were destroyed under clause 25 (‘Beehives posing risk’)
of the AFB NPMP. Six apiaries were destroyed under Section 119 (‘Power to seize abandoned goods’)
of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

 A total of 43 AFB-infected hives were found across 14 unregistered apiaries; 17 of the AFB cases were
found in unregistered apiaries belonging to registered beekeepers.

Annual disease returns

A total of 6,379 ADRs were received by 1 June 2024, down by 27.4% from the previous year when 9,281 ADRs
were received.

The Management Agency has continued to see an increased use of online ADRs in 2023/24 with over 94% of
beekeepers completing this on HiveHub.

Certificate of Inspections
A total of 4,301 beekeepers were notified of their obligation to complete a Certificate of Inspection on their
beehives in 2023.

 2,156 COIs were received by 15 December 2023, compared to 2,859 COIs received the year before.

 By April 2024, 699 registered beekeepers owning 5,397 colonies on 1,339 registered apiaries
continued to be in default of their 2023 COI obligations, compared to 873 beekeepers the year before.

The Management Agency scheduled COI default inspections for 92 beekeepers with greater than 5 apiaries
or greater than 10 colonies. These default inspections led to the detection of 29 AFB cases through the
inspection of 1,789 hives.

Notification and reporting of AFB (beekeeper and AP2)

In the 12 months to 31 May 2024, The Management Agency received 1,666 notifications from 528
beekeepers leading to self-reporting of 2,522 cases of AFB. The Management Agency’s AP2s reported 596
cases of AFB through 280 notifications (Table 1).

Of the 596 AFB cases found during AP2 inspections, 217 cases of AFB were detected in hives owned by
21 beekeeping operations out of which six were identified as high-risk beekeeping operations during this
reporting period. All six were DECA holders. Four of these beekeeping operations have deregistered.

AP2s findings represent 19% of the total AFB reported cases. This is a 22% decrease in relation to the
previous reporting period and it shows that less AFB is being spread between apiaries and that most cases
reported by beekeepers are self-inflicted cases detected early, before the infection can spread by robbing.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 21

Table 1:
Comparison of AFB notification types (beekeeper and AP2) across 2022/23 and 2023/24

Notification Type 2022/23 2023/24

Beekeeper Notifications 2,689 2522

AP2 Notifications 762 596

Sum of hives with AFB 3,451 3,118

Compliance and Enforcement

During 2023/24, The Management Agency’s Operations Managers received and investigated:

 97 Non-Compliance reports from beekeepers through HiveHub, and

 234 Non-compliance reports from AP2s through HiveHub.

The Management Agency’s AP2 resources are limited. Thank you to those beekeepers who have continued
to be vigilant and assisted The Management Agency in identifying beekeeping operations that require
inspections or AFB elimination guidance.

During the 2023/24 year, The Management Agency’s AP2s conducted:

 Inspections on 3,562 apiaries and 20,846 hives

 2,648 surveillance inspections

 502 COI default inspections

 9 visits related to monitoring Compliance with s122 Notice

 203 inspections related to unregistered apiaries

 28 visits related to section 128 Action on Default Notice

 183 visits related to monitoring apiaries of High-Risk Beekeepers

In late 2023 and under section 25 of the AFB NPMP, The Management Agency, in collaboration with local
beekeepers, safely destroyed hives located in 145 apiaries belonging to a commercial beekeeping operation
that went into liquidation. The liquidator, having disclaimed all interest in the beehives, left the apiaries
abandoned, creating a potential AFB risk to other beekeepers throughout the North Canterbury region.

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 22

The total expenditure on apiary inspections during 2023/24 was $336,061, down 9.5% from
2022/23 ($371,668).

A further $7,603 was spent on those beekeepers who had defaulted on their section 122 obligations under
the Biosecurity Act 1993 (i.e. Notice to Destroy AFB-infected hives within 7 days).

AP2 Inspection by Region

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Figure 12: Number of AP2 inspections per region across 2022/23 and 2023/24

Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement (DECA) holders

As at 31 May 2024, there were 4,852 DECA holders. A total of 465 DECAs were agreed in 2023/24, down from
475 in 2022/23. 403 of these were with hobbyist beekeepers while 62 were with commercial beekeepers.

A total of 59 DECAs were cancelled during 2023/24.

 22 DECAs were cancelled due to beekeepers being identified as a High-Risk Beekeeper (i.e. AFB found
greater than, or equal to, 10% of beehives at the time of AP2 inspections).

 37 DECAs were cancelled on default for not submitting their Annual Disease Returns.

During 2023/24, The Management Agency spent $20,015 on inspections related to High-Risk Beekeepers, up
48% from 2022/23 ($13,497).

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 23

AFB Recognition Other
Training Support

A crucial part of supporting the elimination of During 2023/24, The Management Agency team:
AFB from managed hives is empowering New
 responded to 9,929 beekeeper requests for
Zealand beekeepers with the skills and resources
assistance made via HiveHub or email,
to recognise clinical signs of AFB and be aware
of their legal obligations. Following the policy  answered 3,347 phone calls made to the
change in the fees-free tertiary education and 0800(AFB PMP) number, and
training scheme by the new government, the last
 made a further 2,456 outgoing phone
two quarters of 2023/24 showed a significant
calls to provide beekeepers with the
decline in the number of AFB Recognition courses
assistance sought.
being held for Level 3 Apiculture students
around New Zealand. A total of 72,373 Hivehub portal logins were
recorded for the 2023/24 year, slightly down
Despite this change, The Management Agency
from 74,355 a year before. The Management
continued to strengthen beekeeper education,
Agency is committed to continually improving
training, and support by running:
data functionality on this platform, in order
 31 full AFB Recognition (classroom) courses to make reporting for all beekeepers simple,
attended by 261 first-time participants easy, and secure.
and 102 participants attending the course
as a refresher.

 4 AFB Recognition Refresher courses

attended by 40 participants.

The online AFB Recognition course was completed

by 113 participants (112 during 2022/23) and the
online AFB Refresher course was completed by 135
participants (160 during 2022/23).

During 2023/24, The Management Agency

spent $34,052 on expenses related to AFB
Recognition classroom courses, down 28% from
2022/23 ($48,685).

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 24

The Management
Agency Board & Team

2024 Board Members

 Chair: Mark Dingle

 Deputy Chair: Val Graham

Mark
 Lubomir Dudek

 Jane Röllin
Val
 Trent Proffit

 Murray Elwood Jane Lubomir

 Advisor to Board: Hayley Pragert Trent

 MPI Observer: John Sanson

Hayley Murray

The Management Agency Team

John
 Niharika (Niha) Long General Manager

 Marco Gonzalez Southern Operations Manager

 Dwayne Hill Northern Operations Manager

 Janette Gwilliam Training Coordinator

Niharika
 Tracey Gonzalez Apiary Coordinator

 Leonie Elliot-Mason Apiary Coordinator

Marco
 Paula Michelle Rich Apiary Coordinator

Janette Dwayne
47 dedicated AP2s across the North Island
and South Island.
Tracey
17 AFB Recognition Course trainers across the
North Island and South Island.
Paula Leonie

AFB Annual Report 2023 / 2024 25

 0800 AFB PMP
PO Box 88
Rolleston 7643
[email protected]