AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - In what is believed to be a world first, 120,000 bees will be hitting the road across the North Island, travelling in a van that's been transformed into a mobile hive. They're on a mission to follow the honey flow of flowers, taking part in the vital annual pollination.
Local beekeeper James Green from Hidden Honey, who has spent the past eight years caring for honeybees alongside his two brothers, is leading the Volkswagen Pollination Tour. Along the way, he'll share why pollinators are so important and how simple it is for Kiwis to make a difference, from planting bee-friendly blooms, to supporting local beekeepers and creating safe spaces for pollinators.
Much of New Zealand's food production relies on pollination, yet as flowering habitats decline and land use changes, pollination rates are falling in parts of the country, putting pressure on both ecosystems and food production.
"Bees aren't just pollinators - they're tiny gardeners of Aotearoa. Every garden, every patch of flowers, helps our native landscapes and our food grow strong. We want Kiwis to feel that connection and see how easy it is to make a difference, one backyard at a time," says James.
The bees will travel in a fully electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz, a modern evolution of the VW Type 2 Kombi, which in the 60s helped transport a cultural revolution known as Flower Power. Now affectionately named Polly the Pollinator, the van has been transformed into a fully functioning "bee hive," carrying not only two active colonies across the North Island, but also the spirit of the original Kombi and those same ideals into a new era.
Along the way, beekeeper James will visit farmers' markets, hand out wildflower seeds, and give communities the chance to see the hives up close and learn about the vital role pollinators play in keeping Aotearoa blooming.
Bee welfare is at the heart of the project. The van has been transformed into a hive-like environment and now houses active colonies with entry and exit tubes, allowing the bees to safely come and go as they please to pollinate. The interior is climate-controlled to replicate natural conditions and keep the bees cool, just as they would be in a standard hive. James will oversee the colonies throughout the tour, and at each stop, safely supporting the bees on their journey.
"We're taking our buzzing friends on the road to meet communities, kids, and gardens across the North Island," James adds. "It's not just about bees, it's about showing how every small action, every flower, can help our environment thrive."
With tens of thousands of bees buzzing along the North Island, this first-of-its-kind project combines education, community engagement, and sustainability - all in a mobile hive on wheels.
