Hi, I'm Fiona Black and this is the story of how we started our business. 

It all started when we moved to New Zealand from Scotland in 2001.  My husband, Stephen, decided he wanted a beehive.  "What do you want one of those for?" I asked.  "Just as an interest" Stephen replied.  He got 2 hives and had great fun. 

He then decided that 2 wasn't enough for what he wanted to do so we increased to 7.  "Don't expect me to help" I said.

We got a phone call a few months later from the people we had bought the hives from.  They were retiring and did we want the rest of their hives.  "Yes please" said Stephen.  "Oh No" I said.

We increased to 147 and suddenly all our time and money was going towards the bees.  Stephen was working full time while I was working part time and with 3 very small children suddenly I was very busy learning how to cream honey, then every Satuday I was on a market stall selling our honey. 

I decided I needed help so booked the children into Daycare for one day a week and organised myself so that I could get all the honey ready for that week. 

Stephen and I attended beekeeping workshops, fieldays, conferences and found that I was becoming very knowledgeable.  I took the plunge and got myself a beesuit and would go out with Stephen at the weekends to be an assistant fetching and carrying.

Finally in 2009 we both jumped in and with 800 - 1000 hives we went full-time.

Meet the team

Testimonials

"Arrived safely and ready to be scoffed.  Many thanks for another super trade.  AAAAA+++++"  Jo, Edendale

"Real nice honey and real worth the mony so bee on and don't let this one buzz off...." Murray, Whatakane