Napier's a buzz for bees

Napier City Council is helping to encourage some of the world’s smallest but most important winged creatures to take up residency in the city.

Along with 29 councils around the country, Napier has set aside a special patch for a “bee friendly” garden.

Wildflowers have been gifted by the National Beekeepers Association and planted at the Kennedy Park Rose Garden. While they are not quite at full bloom yet, Horticulture Foreman Shelley Exeter is sure they have not gone unnoticed by the garden’s regular bee visitors. “We encourage people to come and have a look at our rose garden now anyway, as many spring blooms are out. It would also be nice if people let us know what they think of our bee friendly garden as time goes on.”


A special visitor (Jo Rhodes) joined Napier Mayor Bill Dalton during his inspection of the Kennedy Park Rose Garden. Photo courtesy of Napier City Council

Last month’s Bee Aware Month theme was ‘Feed the Bees’, and encouraged people to think about how important bees are. Most food crops for humans and livestock require pollination by insects, and pollinating insects also play a critical role in maintaining natural plant communities and ensuring seed production in most flowering plants.

 “Bees pollinate around one third of the food we eat, so it’s important we plant enough food for them to ensure they can continue doing so,” says National Beekeepers Association chief executive Daniel Paul.
“It’s fantastic to have so many councils on board, putting their land to good use and helping us promote the good cause. Wildflowers brighten up a landscape and provide a vital food source.

“We’re really thankful for the councils’ efforts, and we hope that this initiative will help educate the public on the importance of bee-friendly planting.”