Supporting New Zealand beekeepers to keep healthy and sustainable honey bees
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Think you have AFB?
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Quick links
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AFB 101 for beekeepers
Your AFB obligations checklist EAST
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I’m starting beekeeping
Everything you need to know EAST
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I’m leaving beekeeping
Know your obligations EAST
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Accredited inspectors lists
Current certified DECA inspectors EAST
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DECA information
Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement EAST
Hi there!
We are the agency responsible for supporting New Zealand beekeepers to implement the American Foulbrood (AFB) National Pest Management Plan (NPMP). Our goals are to reduce the overall incidence of AFB and eliminate the disease from all managed honeybee colonies. Together, we can achieve this with best bee husbandry practices, cost efficiency, accurate data, and targeted education.
New Zealand beekeepers have already proven that elimination on a district and regional level is possible. By applying best practice AFB management techniques, some beekeepers have eliminated the disease from their beehives. When you choose to effectively manage AFB, you choose to support NZ’s beekeeping industry by protecting yourself and neighbouring beekeepers from the financial impacts of AFB spread and safeguarding our sector’s export markets.
We’re here to help
Welcome to NZ Bee Health & Biosecurity (NZBB). We’re here to help New Zealand beekeepers in their fight against AFB. Explore our website to learn more about how to meet your legal obligations and effectively manage AFB in your beekeeping operation.
The AFB NPMP
Change Programme
To support the implementation of the updated AFB NPMP, we have begun implementing five key priorities. We’re calling this the AFB NPMP Change Programme. And its success relies on the commitment of New Zealand beekeepers. The programme objective is to accelerate the elimination of AFB from managed beehives in New Zealand by transforming beekeeper focus from the ‘presence or absence of AFB’ to the ‘implementation of good AFB elimination practices’. Here is some more information to help explain exactly what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and how it will be done.
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View the AFB NPMP Change Programme East
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View the Change Programme progress updates East
Keeping you
in the loop
Upcoming
obligation
deadlines
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AFB levy invoices are generated using your colony numbers as at 31 March.
You can view your AFB levy invoice in HiveHub or you can ring 0800 232 767 for a hard copy to be posted to you.
All levy invoices are due for payment by 1 June, a 10% penalty will be applied to all unpaid levy invoices.
If you require a payment plan, please contact us early so we can set one up for you.
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On 1 April each year, levy invoices are generated and ADRs and Colony Returns are enabled in HiveHub. All are due before 1 June.
An ADR is a statutory declaration that ensures we have current and accurate information about all registered apiaries in New Zealand. All registered beekeepers must complete an ADR each year, even if they have no bees. Hives do not need to be inspected for an ADR to be submitted.
A colony return is a statutory return required for levy collection. All beekeepers are legally required to declare the number of honey bee colonies they own as of 31 March each year. (Please note that a nuc is a colony of bees.) Colony Returns are enabled in HiveHub along with ADRs and your levy invoice. If the number of colonies you have been levied for requires adjustment, we recommend providing your Colony Return as soon as possible.
This flow chart explains the process and which steps apply to you.
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A COI is a legal document that must be completed by all beekeepers without a current Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement (DECA) with The Management Agency. Click here for info on how to obtain a DECA.
If you are required to complete a COI, all your colonies must be inspected by a certified DECA-accredited inspector between 1 August and 30 November each year. Both the inspection and submission of your COI are submitted via HiveHub.
Every beekeeper is responsible for arranging their inspection directly with a DECA holder.
Consult this flow chart if you are unsure whether you need to complete a COI.
Upcoming
events
2025, as of June, 30
Key statistics
7,717
PERSON_APRON Registered beekeepers
500,934
HIVE Registered colonies
49,497
GARAGE_HOME Registered apiaries
2,599
WARNING Reported AFB cases (from 1 July 24)
Heatmap of
AFB cases
We will continue working with the beekeepers from regions with persistent AFB to assist them with a decline in reported cases of AFB.
Updated quarterly. Latest update: 30 June 2025.
