A spate of beehive thefts across the country is linked to organised crime and is costing the New Zealand honey industry millions of dollars every year.
Police confirmed to the New Zealand Herald this morning organised criminal groups were behind the surge in offending, which is linked to high honey prices.
Coordinator of community policing Senior Sergeant Alasdair MacMillan said police were "very concerned about the rising number of reported beehive thefts across New Zealand".
He said police "believe this offending is organised and likely being carried out by groups".
"There is nothing to suggest at this stage that beehive/honey theft is directly linked with a particular gang, but we do believe this offending is organised."
He noted that any group of three or more people working together in criminal activity is deemed as "organised crime".
The thefts, which are being reported across New Zealand, are costing apiarists millions of dollars each year, Snr Sgt MacMillan said.
He said between July 1, 2016 and 31 January 31 this year there were 408 incidents reported to police linked to bee and beehive thefts.
The thefts come as the New Zealand honey industry rapidly grows, and exports to large overseas markets including China, Honk Kong, Australia, and the UK.
There are now about 600,000 registered beehives, almost twice the number registered six years ago, police said.
"The high value of honey, particularly manuka honey, is likely to be contributing, and because of the scale we believe it's an organised operation in most parts of the country," Snr Sgt MacMillan wrote in the monthly police magazine Ten One.
While the high volume markets tend to pay $21-$28 a kilogram, higher value markets will pay $30-$50/kg and medical grade manuka can fetch up to $1,000/kg.
New Zealand is the world's third-largest exporter of honey by value, behind China and Argentina.
However it is only the 16th biggest global supplier on a volume basis, reflecting the premium price garnered for manuka honey, which accounts for as much as 80% of New Zealand exports and is prized for its health benefits.
New Zealand exports about 9000 tonnes of manuka honey annually.
Snr Sgt MacMillan said police are working with several partner agencies, including Apiculture NZ and the Ministry of Primary Industries, to reduce the honey thefts.
"This group is working to improve the intelligence we have on beehives, honey and those stealing them, as well as improving investigative methods used when such occurrences do happen," he said.
"A national database is being developed to improve information gathering. Similar databases already exist now in specific areas and allow us to monitor hive movements more proactively."
In July last year, police swarmed an Otahuhu property and found 200 litres of manuka honey. Linked to an organised criminal group it was thought to be being prepared for export.
The Ministry for Primary Industries reports on its website that of the 12,000 tonnes of honey New Zealand produces each year, half is exported.
Export earnings have reached at least $233 million and honey is exported to almost 40 countries, MPI said.
MPI has also invested in the High Performance Manuka Plantations Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme, which aims to improve the yield and reliability of supply of medical-grade manuka honey.
The programme intends to lift the value of the New Zealand manuka honey industry from an estimated $75 million in 2010 to $1.2 billion a year by 2028.
Suggestions for apiarists to help ensure the safety of their hives:
• Keep hives in paddocks away from public view.
• Consider using pressure pads, tracking devices, and outdoor surveillance cameras.
• Engrave or fire-brand registration numbers into the hive and top of frame.
• Report movement of hives to police immediately.
