During the 2025-26 year, the activities of the Club have again centred on supporting our members in their beekeeping journey – by sharing critical hive management skills, identifying and managing hive pests and diseases, and extraction and storage of honey and other hive products such as beeswax. We have held regular Field Days at the Club site, 681 Cashmere Road en the first Saturday of every month except during the depths of winter in June and July. We have developed a structured schedule for beginners, queen rearing sessions. Field Days generally provide several activities for members to experience, including opening and inspecting hives, and opportunities for question and answer sessions. We believe that it is important to keep abreast of current research and developments in effective and hygienic beekeeping procedures, and have included visiting speakers in our programme, as well as provided the opportunity to learn from our own experienced members. A popular event has again been the sharing of new beekeeping gadgets, developed by members. Lindsay keeps us current with information about AFB and varroa incursions in our area. Our members regularly take part in American Foul Brood identification courses run by NZ Bee Health and Biosecurity, and learn how to deal with varroa mite and hive beetle, and the consequences of their presence in a hive. We maintain awareness of bee related research at Lincoln and Canterbury Universities, and are conscious of the potential threat to beekeeping from the Asian Hornet which has been found in the Auckland region.
Members of the Club such as Vyvyan, Kat and Jeff have promoted beekeeping in the wider community – for example by running basic beekeeping courses with educational providers in Christchurch, or by introductory sessions with other organisations.These activities encourage new people to become involved in beekeeping and potentially to join us. The Club has an active Facebook group. The website (https://chchbeekeepers.org.nz) has recently been updated, thanks to Rob Nairn. Both these facilities provide an online presence for the Club. Jeff Gibson has organised a stall at Riccarton Rotary Market which may happen this year and we
have again been present at the A&P Show, bringing beekeeping and the club to the attention of the general public. We also have good relations with other beekeepers throughout the country, for example with the Dunedin group.
The development and maintenance of the site continues, largely thanks to the efforts of Dave and Trevor and the Gardening Group. One significant improvement has been the installation of exterior walls and doors to the Club House which was carried out around Matariki in July. The site now looks very attractive, thanks to the range of species which have been planted to provide a variety of nectars and pollens for our bees.
Andy continues her good work as Hivemaster. The number of hives was reduced last year, and remains lower than the peak number a few years ago. However, we have managed to harvest honey from the Club’s hives during the last couple of years. This had not been the case for many years earlier.
The Club held a Gadget Day and Honey Show in April, which was well attended and enjoyed by all. Raffles continue to be a popular feature of Club Field Days. On Thursday 16 April, we held our Annual Club Dinner at Ara, thanks to David Spice for organising a wonderful evening.
We continue to maintain good relations with Beekeeping suppliers and the wider apiculture industry. Since the closure of Ecrotek’s retail store in Christchurch, we have become increasingly reliant on our South Island suppliers, Beeline in Dunedin, and New Zealand Beeswax in Geraldine. We greatly appreciate the presence of these companies at Field Days.
Membership numbers have shown a slight decline over the past year, from 133 paid up members in 2025 to 123 currently as outlined in the Treasurer’s Report. During the year the Club has successfully updated its Constitution and re-registered with the Incorporated Societies’ Register to comply with the 2022 Act. Since the Club’s name is being changed, we need to ensure that the official records and the names on our online spaces are updated.
It is with regret that I am stepping down from the Presidency of the Club. Over the past 4 years, I have come to appreciate the support of our members and especially of the Committee. Your breadth of knowledge and expertise, and the way that you are open to offer your support makes the Club a special, welcoming place.
I wish my successor (NAME) every success during their tenure as President, and I thank every one of you for your ongoing help and support over the years.
Wishing you all and the Club a wonderful 2026-27
Jo Winter
President