A national survey of beekeepers will provide a 'starting point” to explore the potential causes behind colony losses in New Zealand.

Around the world there are reports of high colony losses, and while New Zealand's hive numbers have significantly increased over recent years, there's also been a surge in unexplained colony losses.

Kiwi beekeepers are being called on to take part in the country's first colony loss and survival survey, being run by Landcare Research. Photo: Linda Newstom-Lloyd.

Diseases, pests, pesticides, starvation and overstocking have been blamed, but the evidence is largely anecdotal.

Industry groups and researchers are now turning to beekeepers for their help to protect the $5.1 billion industry.

Beekeepers – from commercial to hobbyists – are being asked to take part in the country's first colony loss and survival survey, which started yesterday.

Conducted by Landcare Research, the online survey will gather baseline information from beekeepers about colony loss and survival to track changes in the future.

New Zealand Bee Colony Loss and Survival survey director Dr Pike Brown says the survey would provide an accurate picture of the country's bee industry.

'The data from the survey will allow policy makers, industry groups and beekeepers to make better decisions on how to preserve New Zealand's bee populations,” says Dr Brown.

The survey adheres to international standards to allow for worldwide comparison. But Dr Brown adds there are a number of questions specific to the New Zealand industry and conditions.

Participants who take part in the survey will remain anonymous.

Federated Farmers Bee Industry Group chairman John Hartnell says bees are critical to the country's agricultural and horticultural industry, and must be protected as many crops rely on bee pollination.

'Looking ahead, this survey will help the industry to form a framework for building a long-term picture of annual trends and explore the potential causes of losses and ways to prevent them,” says John.

National Beekeepers' Association (NBA) of New Zealand chief executive Daniel Paul says the survey was a 'starting point” to protect bees.

'The survey will provide a wealth of benchmark data that will facilitate apiary management,” explains Daniel.

To help raise awareness about the importance of bees, the NBA has declared September Bee Aware month.

The colony loss and survival survey is funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries, National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand, Federated Farmers Bee Industry Group and Agcarm.

If you're a bee keeper and would like to take part in the survey, visit: http://surveys.landcareresearch.co.nz/s3/NZCOLOSS