AFB Levy
funded by beekeepers, for beekeepers
A pest management plan
Jump to 2027/28 levy / Levy payments
American foulbrood (AFB) is the most serious disease affecting honey bees in New Zealand. AFB infects honey bee larvae causing the larvae to die. Each infected larvae produces 2.5 billion spores. These in turn infect other honey bee larvae until the hive collapses and dies. Unlike most other countries, New Zealand beekeepers do not use antibiotics to control AFB (the use of drugs to control AFB is illegal under New Zealand law). There is no cure for AFB. Spores from infected colonies are very resistant and can survive for over 35 years.
In 1997, New Zealand’s beekeepers agreed to regulations in the form of the National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan (AFB NPMP) to ensure that all beekeepers have legal obligations to control AFB. Monitoring and auditing beekeeper compliance with these regulations is funded through a compulsory levy set as per the Biosecurity (American Foulbrood - Beekeeper Levy) Order 2003.
Having an NPMP has successfully prevented the reported incidence levels of AFB from increasing to the devastatingly high levels of the late 1980s – early 1990s.
Why it matters
The New Zealand apiculture sector is worth over $500 million. This is comprised of domestic honey, export honey, and pollination services.
AFB infected hives fail to grow to the strength required to produce a commercial crop of honey or effective pollination services. The downstream effects include hive losses, reduced honey sales, market access issues to certain overseas markets, pollination, and income loss.
To support our beekeeping sector, New Zealand needs healthy honeybee colonies that are not affected by AFB.
American Foulbrood (AFB)
2027/28 levy consultation
Supporting beekeepers with AFB elimination and seeking your input on the AFB levy for 2027/28.
New Zealand Bee Health & Biosecurity (NZBB) is undertaking consultation with Aotearoa New Zealand beekeepers on a proposal for the American Foulbrood Beekeeper Levy for 2027/28 to remain at $40 per beekeeper (ex GST) with an increase of 25 cents per colony (from $1.95 to $2.20 ex GST per colony).
CONTRACT_EDIT
Start your levy consultation submission
Surveymonkey east
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American Foulbrood (AFB) is the most serious disease affecting honey bees in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is present in almost all countries where honey bees are found. First recorded in New Zealand in 1877, AFB has remained a persistent biosecurity threat, despite being subject to legislative control in New Zealand since 1906 and a National Pest Management Plan (AFB NPMP) since 1998.
Biosecurity (American Foulbrood National Pest Management Plan) Order 1998
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Implementation of the AFB NPMP is funded through the Biosecurity (American Foulbrood Beekeeper Levy) Order 2003, which is payable to NZBB by all beekeepers prior to the start of the new levy year (1 June). The AFB Levy is used solely for the
administration and implementation of the AFB NPMP.
Biosecurity (American Foulbrood - Beekeeper Levy) Order 2003
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Between 1 June 2025 and 31 May 2026, beekeeper numbers fell by 8.5% (from 7,872 to 7,203) and colony numbers fell by 3.7% (from 505,745 to 487,784). Despite these declines, NZBB forecasts that beekeeper and colony numbers have plateaued and are expected to stabilise.
In setting the proposed 2027/28 levy, NZBB has taken into consideration:
The levy rate of $1.95 per colony has been held for three consecutive years (since 2024/25) in recognition of the financial hardship experienced by many beekeepers.
The combination of inflation and severely non-compliant, high-risk beekeepers has affected NZBB’s ability to deliver services to beekeepers on a reduced budget.
The forecast number of registered beekeepers and colonies over the next 12 months, which is expected to stabilise.
The budget required to begin a phased, potentially multi-year implementation of the new AFB NPMP following Cabinet approval in 2027.
The path to AFB elimination requires greater support to new and existing beekeepers from NZBB and steps required to achieve the objectives set out in NZBB’s Strategic plan 2026 –2031 (www.nzbb.org.nz/about#strategic-direction).
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The current AFB NPMP remains under Ministerial review, with Cabinet approval likely in early 2027. Implementation of the proposed AFB NPMP will begin from mid-2027 onwards. Accordingly, the proposed 25 cent increase to the colony levy will support the following initiatives:
Protect your hives
We're running pre-pollination AFB inspections to keep infected hives out of pollination yards, piloting AFB-controlled zones in low-incidence regions like Otago/Southland (supported by beekeepers and AP2 audits) and stepping up AP2 audit and NZBB support activity to identify and address beekeeping practices that may increase AFB risk.Help you manage AFB risk
We're piloting bee health/AFB field days with NZBB, AP2s, and guest speakers, investing in AP2 and trainer upskilling, expanding commercial AFB refresher courses, and offering AP2 support to help commercial beekeepers improve field practices in alignment with their AFB elimination goals.Make compliance & traceability easier
We will continue to develop HiveHub to support the new AFB NPMP and improve traceability, with added features so beekeepers can complete COI, ADR, and levy payments within the HiveHub app, and improving the NZBB website with interactive dashboards for clearer AFB trend visibility.Keep you informed about the new AFB NPMP rules
We will be educating the sector on the five new Plan rules, eight amended rules, and the pathway for serious breaches under the new AFB NPMP.We are committed to continually exploring opportunities to reduce the budget in areas of lower demand, without compromising our ability to support beekeepers in their fight against AFB.
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How you can share your views
NZBB is seeking beekeepers’ views on the draft 2027/28 budget and proposed levy rates:
$40 per beekeeper ($46 incl. GST)
$2.20 per bee colony ($2.53 incl. GST)
Have your say
Consultation opens Monday 14 September 2026
Consultation closes 5pm Sunday 11 October 2026
Beekeepers registered for email will receive the levy proposal directly with a link to SurveyMonkey. Those registered for postal communications will start receiving consultation documents in their mailbox from early September 2026.
Three ways to share your views:
Start the online survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2G6588V
Email your feedback to info@nzbb.org.nz
Post a submission to
NZ Bee Health & Biosecurity Trust
PO Box 88
Rolleston 7643
Download the Levy consultation booklet
Download the proposed 2027/28 budget
Our audited accounts for 2025/26
Once consultation closes, the NZBB Board of Trustees will consider all feedback and share the outcome at NZBB’s inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) in late October 2026.
Have questions about the levy? Check out our FAQ here: https://www.nzbb.org.nz/afb-levy#levy-faqs
The 2026/27
levy
Notification of the American Foulbrood Beekeeper Levy for 2026/27
New Zealand Bee Health & Biosecurity decision
American Foulbrood – Beekeeper Levy 2026/27
Pursuant to clause 12 of the Biosecurity (American Foulbrood – Beekeeper Levy) Order 2003, notice is hereby given that for the 2026/27 levy year, the beekeeper and colony levy rates (exclusive of GST) will be:
Base levy: $40 per beekeeper
Colony levy: $1.95 per colony owned as of 31 March 2026
Consultation Feedback
We thank beekeepers for their input on the proposed levy rate and budget. Of the 7,445 beekeepers invited, 147 (1.9%) provided submissions via SurveyMonkey, post, or email.
Of the beekeepers that responded, 61.2% agreed or strongly agreed with retaining the levy rate. Hobbyists and mid-sized beekeepers expressed mixed views: some suggested tiered levies or reductions for small-scale operators; others proposed increases to match inflation. Large-scale operators were divided—some supported modest increases, others stressed financial strain.
Overall, beekeepers emphasised accountability, improved AFB education, robust compliance measures, and encouraged sector-wide debate and collaboration.
Supporting AFB elimination together
With colony numbers continuing to decline, NZBB remains focused on careful stewardship of levy funds, ensuring that every expenditure decision is made responsibly and with efficiency in mind. Beekeepers can assist NZBB by:
Remaining compliant with the AFB NPMP and all statutory obligations.
Reporting AFB cases to NZBB within 7 days and destroying AFB-infected hives and associated gear within 7 days.
Creating a dedicated AFB management plan with measurable actions to contain AFB outbreaks and break the cycle of horizontal transmission of this disease.
Demonstrating a year-on-year decline in AFB incidence through strong AFB elimination practices, AFB Recognition and refresher training (commercials and hobbyists), and education.
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The levy order 2003
View the document reprinted on 10 July 2020 EAST
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Levy Consultation
View the documents east
Bee Biosecurity Feedback
As part of consultation, NZBB sought initial views on wider bee biosecurity issues. Of the 147 submissions, 115 (78.2%) addressed these questions. Key findings included:
Industry readiness for exotic bee pests and diseases was widely considered insufficient across all responses. The current yellow-legged hornet incursion in Auckland is testament to this.
Over 40% supported NZBB potentially expanding its role beyond AFB, with support being strongly dependent on funding and role clarity.
Strong preference for government or pollination service beneficiary funding, with resistance to new beekeeper levies.
NZBB notes that the low response rate (1.3% of all beekeepers) is not considered representative of industry views, particularly as feedback was gathered prior to the recent yellow-legged hornet response in Auckland.
The NZBB Board and management will continue discussions on bee biosecurity and keep beekeepers informed of developments.
We remain committed to delivering a cost-effective, efficient service and to working alongside beekeepers in the shared goal of eliminating AFB and strengthening bee biosecurity in New Zealand.
What does the
levy fund?
Extension research and communications
Suspect AFB laboratory tests
AFB website
Beekeeper Communication
AFB elimination communications and collateral
Apiary register
Ongoing investment into HiveHub
Beekeeper registration / deregistration
Apiary registration / deregistration
Annual Disease Returns
Certificate of Inspections
Processing DECA applications
Supporting beekeepers with compliance and obligations
Monitoring and audit
Apiary Inspections
Surveillance of AFB hotspot
Compliance and enforcement
Unregistered apiaries
Abandoned apiaries
COI default inspections
Follow up of non-compliance
Monitoring high-risk beekeepers
Governance management and administration
OIA requests
Audits
Bank fees
Legal fees
Insurance
Office expenses
Board expenses
quiz
Frequently asked questions
Find out more EAST
AFB levy
payments
You can make your AFB PMP levy payment via the following:
Via HiveHub
Your invoice can be paid via credit card using the “pay now” button on the invoice page in HiveHub.
Direct to our bank account
New Zealand Bee Health & Biosecurity
ANZ Bank
06-0793-0901895-00
You must use your beekeeper number as the reference.
Any queries relating to your levies, please direct to levies@nzbb.org.nz or phone 0800 232 767.
Levy invoices generated as of 31 March are due for payment
by 1 June each year.
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Levy process flow chart east
AFB levy
FAQs
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Click here for information on what the levy fund provides beekeepers.
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The rate of levy is $40 ($46 including GST) per beekeeper and $1.95 ($2.24 including GST) per bee colony owned by each beekeeper as of 31 March.
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A bee colony is an active/living group of bees. Usually, but not always, containing a Queen and worker honey bees. A bee colony includes nucleus hives as well as active/living bee hives.
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Beekeepers that did not have a live honey bee colony on 31 March but still have a registered apiary (i.e. they are a registered beekeeper) are required to pay the $40 base levy. Apiary sites must be registered if they have one or more beehives located on them irrespective of whether those beehives are alive or dead.
Beekeepers without any live beehives who wish to cancel their beekeeper registration must remove any deadout beehives from the apiary site and place them into storage before deregistering the apiary. If you wish to cancel your beekeeper registration deregister via HiveHub or click here to complete a deregistration form.
Your levies will be cleared once this cancellation form has been processed.
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Login to HiveHub,
Check that the number of honey bee colonies recorded on each apiary is correct and make corrections as required, then
submit your Colony Return via HiveHub, then
send an email to levies@nzbb.org.nz advising that you require a revised invoice as per the updated Colony Return submitted. An amended invoice will be sent to you once the Colony Return has been processed.
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A Colony Return is a statutory return required for levy collection purposes.
All beekeepers are legally required to declare the number of bee colonies they own on 31 March each year. Your levy invoice is calculated using your colony numbers.
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NZBB encourage you to contact us early to discuss a payment plan. Please do not wait until penalties have been applied before asking for a payment plan. The earlier you contact us, the longer the payment plan can be. Ring 0800 232 767 or email levies@nzbb.org.nz to discuss.