Comercial Bee Keeper

Earth Soldiers Ltd; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 42,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration based on経験

Ongoing training and development

Supportive, family-oriented team

Modern equipment and vehicles

Opportunity to work across NZ beekeep

Job summary

Earth Soldiers Ltd in Hamilton is seeking a hands-on beekeeper to join our family-owned operation, managing 1,000–1,500 hives across the North Island. You will perform hive inspections, queen and brood assessments, hive splitting, honey production, and disease monitoring.

Work across Te Puke for kiwifruit pollination and Taranaki for mānuka honey; staying away from home during intensive collection periods. A full New Zealand driver’s licence, fitness to lift heavy hive components, and the

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of hive management and bee behaviour.
• Knowledge of AFB identification and biosecurity requirements.
• Physically fit and capable of lifting heavy hive components.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Full New Zealand driver's licence.
• Ability to work flexible hours during peak seasonal periods.
• Growsafe, First Aid, or other relevant certifications (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Hive inspections and routine colony management.
• Queen and brood assessments.
• Hive splitting and spring build-up operations.
• Pollination hive preparation and placement.
• Honey production and harvesting.
• Disease monitoring and AFB identification.
• Hive movements and transport.
• General apiary maintenance and equipment handling.

Skills

Hive management

Bee behaviour

Biosecurity awareness

Physically fit

Teamwork

Driver's licence

Tools

Growsafe/First Aid certification

Heavy hive handling

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

The successful applicant will work as part of a small, experienced team managing large-scale honey bee colonies across multiple locations. Work varies throughout the year and includes hive inspections, routine colony management, queen and brood assessments, hive splitting and spring build-up operations, pollination hive preparation and placement, honey production and harvesting, disease monitoring and AFB identification, hive movements and transport, and general apiary maintenance and equipment handling.

Key responsibilities

• Hive inspections and routine colony management
• Queen and brood assessments
• Hive splitting and spring build-up operations
• Pollination hive preparation and placement
• Honey production and harvesting
• Disease monitoring and AFB identification
• Hive movements and transport
• General apiary maintenance and equipment handling

Work across multiple locations including Te Puke region for kiwifruit pollination operations and Taranaki region for mānuka honey production

Staying away from home for several nights during intensive honey collection periods

About you

• Strong understanding of hive management and bee behaviour
• Knowledge of AFB identification and biosecurity requirements
• Physically fit and capable of lifting heavy hive components
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Good communication and teamwork skills
• Full New Zealand driver's licence
• Ability to work flexible hours during peak seasonal periods
• Growsafe, First Aid, or other relevant certifications (desirable)
• Class 2 licence or experience towing trailers (desirable)

About us

We are a family-owned commercial beekeeping business based in Hamilton, managing between 1,000 and 1,500 hives across the North Island. Our operation focuses on strong hive management, pollination services, and mānuka honey production, and we take pride in maintaining high standards of bee health, productivity, and teamwork.

• Competitive remuneration based on experience
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• A supportive, family-oriented team environment
• Modern equipment and well-maintained vehicles
• The opportunity to work across a range of New Zealand beekeeping operations, including pollination and mānuka honey production
• Long-term employment with a progressive commercial beekeeping business