Beehives stolen from the Bay of Plenty valued at around $35,000 have been recovered in Northland.

A search warrant was carried out in the far North earlier this week, 80 live hives believed to have be stolen from the Western Bay of Plenty area were recovered.

A man was arrested at Kawakawa at 4.30am.

A 46-year-old Western Bay of Plenty man has been charged with burglary and five counts of receiving stolen property.

He is due to appear in the Whangarei District Court today.

To date Bay of Plenty Police have recovered around $150 – 200,000 worth of stolen beehives and bee keeping equipment following a spate of thefts in the region.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner says having a large number of beehives stolen is a huge loss for the owners.

'It's a big economic hit for the beekeepers so we are pleased to be able to find these hives.”

'We really value the public assistance we've received, it's been the key to helping us find them.”

Anyone who notices suspicious behaviour around beehives is being urged to call Police on (07) 577 4300 or CrimeStoppers anonymously.