Full-Time Beekeeper – Hastings Depot

Melita Honey Ltd; Hastings; On-site; NZD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive team environment

Learn from experienced beekeepers

Job summary

Melita Honey Ltd in Hastings, Hawke’s Bay, seeks a motivated Beekeeper to join our full-time, permanent team. If you love outdoors, hands-on work and developing a career in beekeeping, this role is for you.

You’ll help maintain and grow our apiaries, keep colonies healthy, and work with an experienced team in an environmentally focused industry. Training and a supportive team environment are provided.

Qualifications

• Beekeeping experience in a commercial or semi-commercial operation.
• Solid understanding of bee biology, behaviour and colony management.
• Familiarity with beekeeping equipment, tools and industry practices.
• Good problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to hygiene and safety.
• Good physical fitness and willingness to work longer hours during peak season.
• NZ driver’s licence and right to work in NZ.
• Willingness to complete a pre-employment medical check.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and maintain colonies, watch for signs of disease or stress.
• Split hives and establish new colonies to expand apiaries.
• Carry out core beekeeping tasks including feeding, treatments and hive management.
• Keep accurate records of colony health, productivity and honey yields.
• Follow best practice for sustainable, ethical beekeeping.
• Do building, yard and hive maintenance as needed.

Skills

Beekeeping

Bee biology

Hive management

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Physical fitness

Driver's license NZ

Right to work NZ

Pre-employment medical

Job description

Melita Honey is looking for a motivated, full-time Beekeeper to join our team at our Hastings depot. If you love working outdoors, enjoy hands-on work and want to grow your career in beekeeping, this role is for you.

You’ll help maintain and grow our apiaries and keep our colonies healthy and productive, working alongside an experienced team in a rewarding, environmentally focused industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Inspect and maintain colonies, and watch for signs of disease or stress
• Split hives and establish new colonies to expand our apiaries
• Carry out core beekeeping tasks, including feeding, treatments and hive management
• Keep accurate records of colony health, productivity and honey yields
• Follow best practice for sustainable, ethical beekeeping
• Do building, yard and hive maintenance as needed

What We’re Looking For

• Previous beekeeping experience in a commercial or semi-commercial operation
• Solid understanding of bee biology, behaviour and colony management
• Familiarity with beekeeping equipment, tools and industry practices
• Good problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to hygiene and health and safety
• Good physical fitness, and willingness to work longer hours during peak season
• A full NZ driver’s licence
• The right to work in New Zealand
• Willingness to complete a pre-employment medical check

What We Offer

• A supportive, collaborative team environment
• The chance to learn from experienced beekeepers who will share their knowledge and help you develop

Location: Hastings, Hawke’s Bay
Position: Full-time, permanent

If you’re passionate about beekeeping and want to be part of a team producing high-quality honey, we’d love to hear from you.