top of page

Latest News


Bumblebee Book Project – Get Involved
We’re so excited to launch a new initiative to bring Rachel Weston’s beautiful children’s book 'Bumblebee' into preschools across Aotearoa. As part of this project, volunteers will visit preschools, read the book to the children, and leave a copy behind for them to enjoy. Rachel — a valued member of our Board of Trustees — is also recording a short video reading to help guide and inspire your presentations. The books are currently being printed and are expected to arrive in l
1 min read


Bumblebee Videos
🎥 New Videos from Board Member Nelson Pomeroy We’re excited to share two fascinating new videos created by our board member Nelson Pomeroy . 1. Tekapo School – To Catch a Queen Following the December visit to Lake Tekapo School as part of their “To Catch a Queen” project, Nelson took some of the queens back to Christchurch and reared colonies in his garage. This video shows how they were kept and details aspects of colony life. 1. Bumblebees from Lake Tekapo 2. Inside a Bumb
1 min read


Bumblebee Trail
Bumblebee Trail at The Elms, Tauranga Another successful Bumblebee Trail was held at The Elms , Mission Street, Tauranga in January 2026. We had five stations all around these beautiful gardens for the kids to visit and learn some fun facts all about the wonderful world of bumblebees. Geoff gave several talks and there were prizes for the kids. The feedback was wonderful and Buzz O' Bumble, our new mascot toy, sure entertained the kids! Many thanks the The Elms for hosting th
1 min read


Bumblebee Identification Chart
New Zealand is home to four species of bumblebees but identifying each one can be challenging. We have collaborated with the University of Otago to create a helpful guide. Download the file and see if you are able to identify the various species. We show where each species is likely to be found and some of their important characteristics.
1 min read


Out & About in Spring
Spring is buzzing all around and the team at NZBCT will be out and about with fun talks and a brand new Bumblebee Trail for the kids. The...
2 min read


To Catch a Queen Project
Tekapo School There are four exotic Bumblebee species in New Zealand. One, Bombus subterraneus - the short haired bumblebee, is only found in the McKenzie Basin & parts of Southland. It is extinct in the UK and today it appears that population numbers are dwindling here in NZ. In late 2024, a program was established by Entomologist Rudd Kleinpaste, the New Zealand Bumblebee Conservation Trust (NZBCT), and Otago University, involving primary school children and the communities
2 min read


Garden to Table School Programme
Through the Garden to Table Trust program children are getting the opportunity to study the bumblebee in its own environment and learn about
2 min read


Saving the Short Haired Bumblebee
The Bumblebee Trust is taking part in a programme in the South Island to protect NZ’s rarest bumblebee – Bombus subterraneus – the Short...
4 min read


A Word from Buzzles, our own Bee Messenger
The NZ Bumblebee Conservation Trust has had a busy time since starting.
2 min read


Saving the Sounds of Summer
NZ Bumblebee Conservation Trust (NZBCT) works to conserve, preserve and grow the species and numbers of bumblebees in New Zealand.
2 min read
bottom of page
