Colony collapse disorder is a syndrome that wipes out bees and has become a nightmare for apiarists overseas.
Daniel Paul of the New Zealand Beekeepers Association says it is a result of the bees’ immune system being compromised.
“Bees like any other animal suffer threats from pests and diseases from time to time,” he says. “When a range of those pests or threats come together to affect a hive, it affects the bees’ immune system.”
At least one beekeeper has said it might now be here, although Mr Paul says that is disputed by the Beekeepers Association.
“We don’t have any evidence to suggest that,” he says.
Instead, Mr Paul believes what is being seen is resistance to the treatment used to kill varroa mites.
Watch the video for Firstline’s full interview with Daniel Paul