The urgent need for better varroa parasite treatments

The urgent need for better varroa parasite treatments
An adult honey bee infested with varroa mites. (Image: Phil Lester)
Greg Hurrell
New Zealand scientists are racing to find better ways to control the varroa parasite as existing beehive treatments become less and less effective.There is a sense of urgency to the problem, with bee losses from varroa rising every year since 2017. According to Apiculture NZ data, 47% of hive losses over the 2022 winter were caused by suspected varroa and related complications, compared with 39% in winter 2021.Although Apiculture NZ wants to see a more coordinated and industry-led approach to varroa research, NZ researchers haven’t been i...

More Primary Sector

Less than 10% of Provincial Growth Fund loans repaid
Primary Sector

Less than 10% of Provincial Growth Fund loans repaid

Of nearly $366m paid out in loans, just over $34m has been repaid.

Michael Neilson 04 Nov 2025
Mammoth application for Santana gold mine
Primary Sector

Mammoth application for Santana gold mine

A 9,400-page submission targets what is said to be NZ's largest gold find in 40 years.

Pattrick Smellie 03 Nov 2025
Rising volumes push Port of Tauranga profit outlook higher
Primary Sector

Rising volumes push Port of Tauranga profit outlook higher

Port of Tauranga expects its full-year net profit after tax to fall somewhere between $137 million and $147m.The NZX-listed port company’s container volumes increased 9% to 319,649 TEUs in the first three months to Sept 30.Total trade increased 5.9% in volume compared to the same...

Staff reporters 31 Oct 2025
AgriZeroNZ invests $1.7m in Australian cattle IVF platform
Primary Sector

AgriZeroNZ invests $1.7m in Australian cattle IVF platform

AgriZeroNZ has invested A$1.5 million (NZ$1.7m) into Queensland biotech company Nbyro, which aims for faster breeding of more emissions-efficient livestock.The public-private joint venture was the co-leader in a wider funding round for Nbyro. The stake is AgriZeroNZ’s 10th equity...

Staff reporters 31 Oct 2025