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Ellen Parker admits she used to shun insects.
But now she is the confident custodian of thousands of bees.
"Normally I'm not really a fan of insects and flying things," said Parker, a medical receptionist.
"But when I started to learn more, I realised they're not out to … View moreEllen Parker admits she used to shun insects.
But now she is the confident custodian of thousands of bees.
"Normally I'm not really a fan of insects and flying things," said Parker, a medical receptionist.
"But when I started to learn more, I realised they're not out to sting you. They're out there doing their own thing and they're pretty tame."
The Glendene resident and partner Alexander Jones have drawn a flock of followers to their Instagram page @verygoodbeeco, which documents their beekeeping journey.
The 28-year-olds bought their first hive in November 2019 after delving into a beekeeping experience course in Matakana.
"We really enjoyed it and decided to take the plunge," Jones said.
The fact that the entire hive can function as one brain is incredible, he said.
"... bees are essential parts of the life cycle of many plants and therefore life on earth, so being able to contribute to that definitely provides a bit of a feel-good aspect to it."
The keen apiarists last week spent an hour watching the bees from a beanbag fronting the hive.
"It's strangely therapeutic," Jones said.
A fascination with flying is echoed in the West Auckland couple's careers.
Jones is an aircraft technician and Parker, a former flight attendant.
The goal is to keep the operation small.
"For us on a hobby scale and the way we've established our hive, we're not thrashing the bees to get every drop of honey out of them like on a commercial scale," Jones said.
Any honey and wax produced by their bees is purely a bonus, he said.
The couple has found it rewarding to turn the products into beard wax, a honey and sugar scrub and beeswax food wraps.
Jones and Parker have been flooded with orders for Christmas presents.
"We give our neighbours honey and stuff to say thanks for putting up with us," Jones said.
He confesses there have been days when he questioned if beekeeping was a good idea.
When the honey farmers first brought the hive home, they made the mistake of inspecting it on a cloudy day when most occupants were home.
The bees grew angry and launched a stinging attack on their new owners.
"They were bouncing off our suits," Parker said.
"You think of bees, which are focused on foraging, being stuck at home when someone comes lifts the roof off their house and starts shaking it around," Jones said.
"They'd prefer it to happen while they're away at work."
The budding apiculturists have to inspect the bees for signs of infestations, mites and wax moths.
Jones said they are battling their way through swarm season- the bees' natural instinct to propagate when flowers and bees start to wake from a long winter.
The apiculturists have learned the hard way that swarm prevention is critical at this time of year.
This can be done by giving hives enough space, splitting a hive to almost simulate a swarm and to prevent them raising a new queen, he said.
"We were a bit slow to read the signs and a couple of days before we planned to split our hive (to prevent a swarm), our hive swarmed into the neighbour's tree," Jones said.
"We then managed to find the swarming queen and return her to a spare hive we had ready for the split."
The honey farmers carried out the hive split and the bees returned to their hives an hour later.
"We were pretty embarrassed and stressed by the whole thing, but it has offered us plenty of learning and lessons for the rest of the season and onto the next," Jones said.
Nature has taken its course and a new queen has hatched in the new hive.
Jones said that out of respect to their neighbours, the couple will give the hive to interested friends.
"We'd love to manage a hive for them to see if they want to take the hobby up themselves."
"The original hive seems to be behaving again and has started their honey production."
Herobility Eco Feeding Spoon and Eco Baby Spoon & Fork have been recalled as they pose a choking hazard for babies. It has been found that these can break into small pieces.
The product has been sold at Mummum, Global Baby, Hatch Boutique, J Ballantynes, Mighty Ape, Smith and Caugheys and … View moreHerobility Eco Feeding Spoon and Eco Baby Spoon & Fork have been recalled as they pose a choking hazard for babies. It has been found that these can break into small pieces.
The product has been sold at Mummum, Global Baby, Hatch Boutique, J Ballantynes, Mighty Ape, Smith and Caugheys and The Nile from October 2019 to October 2020
If you have one of these forks/spoons and the date stamp is marked 2019 or earlier (or no date stamp is shown), the company advises to stop using the product and contact Bloom and Grow NZ to organise for a gift voucher to the same value.
Art has imitated life for Counties Manukau police.
Police Eagle helicopter crew were talking on camera about water safety when they were called to a real rescue on the Manukau Harbour.
The officers were starring in a video about dangers at sea ahead of Labour Weekend.
It took them a moment to … View moreArt has imitated life for Counties Manukau police.
Police Eagle helicopter crew were talking on camera about water safety when they were called to a real rescue on the Manukau Harbour.
The officers were starring in a video about dangers at sea ahead of Labour Weekend.
It took them a moment to realise the call about a kayaker in trouble was real- rather than a stitch up.
They stopped filming and rushed to the harbour after the alarm was raised about 3.20 pm on October 20.
Helicopter crew soon spotted the kayaker, who was plucked to safety by the Coastguard.
The kayaker was reported to be safe and well.
Auckland City District Police
We are having our Garage Sale THIS Saturday (31st October).
When: 7.30 - 11am
Where: Ranui Baptist Church, 464 Swanson Road, Ranui
Cheap breakfasts and haircuts along with lots of other goods we have stored up over lockdown.
Learn foundation cookery skills and get a Part time job.
Join the summer intensive of the NZ Certificate in Cookery Level 3 running from Nov 23 2020 - 2021 Summer Holidays.
Call us on 09 377 7961 for details.
Hi Neighbours, More than 4,000 households on rain tank water supply will be given a lower-cost option to top up from the mains. The price is not yet known, but will be cheaper than a $7k full connection. Good idea? Read the story below:
Hi Neighbours,
Auckland uni students have spoken out against on-campus exams this year as their overseas counterparts will be able to check notes while they will not be able to.
Those international and domestic students remaining in New Zealand will be completing their exams under … View moreHi Neighbours,
Auckland uni students have spoken out against on-campus exams this year as their overseas counterparts will be able to check notes while they will not be able to.
Those international and domestic students remaining in New Zealand will be completing their exams under supervised conditions. A university email obtained by Stuff showed that overseas students will also be given a 30 minute grace period, in case of any technical faults, with this time able to be used towards the final exam.
Do you think this is fair?
*Type NFP if you do not want your comment feature in our Conversations section.
Hi neighbours,
Do you have a vehicle that is taking up space and becoming an eyesore? At AAA Auto Parts we dismantle and wreck cars. We will pay top cash whether your car is dead or alive!
* $300 - $3000 for small cars
* $700 - $10,000 for 4x4 utes, vans, 4WD, trucks and buses
* Same day … View moreHi neighbours,
Do you have a vehicle that is taking up space and becoming an eyesore? At AAA Auto Parts we dismantle and wreck cars. We will pay top cash whether your car is dead or alive!
* $300 - $3000 for small cars
* $700 - $10,000 for 4x4 utes, vans, 4WD, trucks and buses
* Same day removal
* Free quotes over the phone
We will beat any prices in the market by 10%.
Support your local business.
Give us a call on ** 0800 50 00 01 ** and we will be happy to have a chat.
Due to the long weekend, the council's kerbside collections will be one day later from 26 – 31 October.
What a delicious way to spend a Sunday afternoon - gathering with a couple of hundred women to listen to some of NZ's top women writers and indulge in a lavish afternoon tea.
Featured writers include Hinemoa Elder on Maori wisdom, award-winning novelist Catherine Chidgey, Pasifika poet … View moreWhat a delicious way to spend a Sunday afternoon - gathering with a couple of hundred women to listen to some of NZ's top women writers and indulge in a lavish afternoon tea.
Featured writers include Hinemoa Elder on Maori wisdom, award-winning novelist Catherine Chidgey, Pasifika poet Karlo Mila, MP Golriz Ghahraman, photographer Jane Ussher, with the food writer this year being the extraordinary Monique Fiso from famous Hiakai restaurant in Wellington.
Sunday 1 November 1pm-5.30pm Raye Freedman Arts Centre, Epsom Girls
Tickets $65 (includes lavish afternoon tea) from The Women's Bookshop
(09) 3764399 books@womensbookshop.co.nz
There are three simple things we can do to help improve the quality of recycling that’s being collected.
1. Completely empty out containers, especially ones with liquid or drink.
2. Rinse out all containers. The cleaner the better is the rule of thumb.
3. Sort your … View moreThere are three simple things we can do to help improve the quality of recycling that’s being collected.
1. Completely empty out containers, especially ones with liquid or drink.
2. Rinse out all containers. The cleaner the better is the rule of thumb.
3. Sort your waste carefully to make sure only the right recyclable containers from the kitchen, bathroom and laundry go in the recycling bin
Are you are recycling legend? Play the game now to improve your kerbside recycling. See if you know what can and what can’t go into your kerbside recycling bin.
This is your final chance to grab our FREE 3-month Premium Business Listing!
Usually $150, your 3-month Premium Business Listing enables you to reach thousands of people who live around your business! Find friendly locals who want your services, introduce your team and share what makes you … View moreThis is your final chance to grab our FREE 3-month Premium Business Listing!
Usually $150, your 3-month Premium Business Listing enables you to reach thousands of people who live around your business! Find friendly locals who want your services, introduce your team and share what makes you stand out from the rest.
There's no catches and no hidden fees. It's just our small way of saying thank you for playing such an essential part in our communities.
Grab your FREE 3 Month Premium Business Listing now!
*offer ends 31 October
Auckland mayor Phil Goff says an announcement could be made soon on Auckland's light rail.
The $6 billion project to revive a tram network in Auckland was one of Labour's initial election promises in 2017.
After Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's big victory on October 17, the … View moreAuckland mayor Phil Goff says an announcement could be made soon on Auckland's light rail.
The $6 billion project to revive a tram network in Auckland was one of Labour's initial election promises in 2017.
After Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's big victory on October 17, the light rail system connecting the airport to Auckland's central city may finally get off the ground.
But Transport Minister Phil Twyford alluded key decisions are still to be made.
Twyford said in June the governing parties could not agree on a preferred proposal and the future of the project would be decided by the new Government following the election.
The ASB Auckland Marathon is taking place on Sunday 1st of November 2020. There are a number of road closures in place for the event that you should be aware of in your neighbourhood.
To see the road closures locations and times, please visit the our website, or email us at … View moreThe ASB Auckland Marathon is taking place on Sunday 1st of November 2020. There are a number of road closures in place for the event that you should be aware of in your neighbourhood.
To see the road closures locations and times, please visit the our website, or email us at aucklandmarathon@ironman.
Please note the Auckland Harbour Bridge is open, traffic will flow both ways all day. Runners will be on course from 6am – 1pm come on out and support!
If you would like to join the Ryman Volunteer Crew supporting athletes across the event we still have some spots left, if you have a group this can be used as a fundraising opportunity. Email volunteers.aucklandmarathon@ironman.com for more information.
Can you imagine a prison hulk (ship) in Auckland Harbour holding prisoners of war? This was the reality just 156 years ago in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Auckland Museum’s narrated experience reflects on the New Zealand Wars and invites you into the dark times in our history, examining what they might … View moreCan you imagine a prison hulk (ship) in Auckland Harbour holding prisoners of war? This was the reality just 156 years ago in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Auckland Museum’s narrated experience reflects on the New Zealand Wars and invites you into the dark times in our history, examining what they might mean to us today.
Running at 10.30am daily until this Wednesday 28 October. Tickets are just $10 per person.
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