Apprentice Beekeeper - Queen Rearing

Turn Your Passion for the Outdoors Into a Career 

Are you ready to learn a trade that is unlike any other? 

Comvita is seeking an apprentice to join our Queen Rearing team based in Kihikihi ( Te Awamutu). This is an exciting opportunity to earn while you learn through our supported apprenticeship programme and gain a nationally recognised qualification in apiculture.  

About the role

As an Apprentice Beekeeper, you will develop the skills to: 

• Maintain and manage productive beehives

• Harvest honey and other bee products

• Support hive transportation and placement

• Understand bee biology and behaviour

• Identify and manage bee diseases and pests

• Work safely and effectively in commercial beekeeping operations

You will work alongside experienced beekeepers who will support your development while helping you complete the New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3). All credits earned are recognised by NZQA. 

What we would like from you;

• A strong work ethic and willingness to learn

• Enjoyment of outdoor and physically active work

• Good communication and teamwork skills

• Full New Zealand Class 1 Driver License

• Ability to travel when required

• Interest in beekeeping, agriculture, horticulture, or environmental sustainability

• Commitment to workplace safety and wellbeing

What is in it for you?

• Earn whilst gaining an industry-recognised qualification

• Structured training and development

• Ongoing support from your Branch Manager and apprenticeship programme provider

• Opportunities for long-term career progression

• Work with a passionate team committed to sustainability and innovation

• Be part of New Zealand's leading Mānuka honey producer

We offer competitive remuneration, and benefits including:

• Birthday leave – a paid day off for your birthday every year
• Private health insurance – add your family members at a discounted rate
• Life and trauma insurances
• Frequent supply of Comvita products
• Increased KiwiSaver employer contribution of 4%
• Additional family benefits such as enhanced parental leave allowances
• Annual bonus incentive scheme
• Professional Development including; Leadership Development, NZQA approved qualifications and progression pathways.

Ready to apply?  

If you think you would be a great fit for our team, submit your application here with your CV and cover letter. Note: We kindly ask that you submit a cover letter written in your own words, as we are already quite familiar with the tone and structure of AI-generated letters. After all, we are looking to hire a person, not AI, and getting a sense of who you are really matters to us. Give us something only a real human (like you!) could write.

**In applying for this job, you must be willing to undergo pre-employment drug screening and consent to ongoing random drug testing whilst in employment**

Comvita’s Commitment to Ethical Employment Practices  

Comvita is committed to upholding the rights of young workers and ensuring that child labour has no place in our operations or supply chain. We do not employ individuals under the age of 18 and strictly prohibit anyone under 18 from performing work that may involve hazardous conditions or materials.

We do not tolerate the use of child labour or forced labour in any part of our business or among our suppliers. No child is to be involved in the production of our products or in the provision of materials or services to Comvita.

This commitment reflects our core values and our responsibility to support safe, fair, and ethical working conditions across all aspects of our business.

Comvita is an organisation which is committed to well-being, diversity and equity. We celebrate diversity and nurture belonging within our global team. We welcome diversity of people, ideas, talents and experiences. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us so we can support you through your recruitment journey.