MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE NATIONAL
BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND ~C.) HELD IN THE
OFFICES OF FEDERATED FARMERS OF NEW ZEALAND (INC.),
AGRICULTURE HOUSE, 12 JOHNSTON STREET, WELLINGTON ON MONDAY
AND TUESDAY 15 AND 16 MAY 2000 COMMENCING AT 10.1OAM ON
MONDAY 15 MAY 2000.

PRESENT:

Mr T Gavin President), Mrs J Lorimer, Messrs D Bell, L
McKenzie, T Taiaroa, S Goodman Executive Secretary) and T
Leslie

APOLOGIES:

Nil

Leave of absence from 1O.OOam until approximately 1100am
each meeting day was granted to Mr Bell

to allow him to attend the daily varroa conference call at
MAF Head Office.

MEETING TIMES:

The meeting agreed that the Monday adjournment would be at
5.30pm and that the meeting would reconvene at 8.3Oam on
Tuesday 16 with completion at 4.OOpm.

Visitors:

1.      Ms Helen Benard, incident controller MAF NCDI would
join the meeting at l.OOpm Monday to up date the committee
on the Varroa outbreak.

2.      Mr B Doran from CHB Print would join the meeting at
l.OOpm on Tuesday to discuss the journal.

MEETING CHAIRMAN:

At this stage Mr Gavin discussed with the Executive issues
around his health status with particular regard his asthma.
Lately, particularly during the Varroa outbreak, Ms asthma
had been particularly severe. This added pressure was
causing Ms family some concern and he was keen to minimise
the pressure he is under. With this in mind, Mr Gavin
proposed that a position of Executive Chairman is appointed
for the meeting and he suggested that Mr Taiaroa assume the
Chairmanship of the meeting.

Mr Gavin also announced that he will not be seeking another
term as President of the Association and that he felt the
incoming Executive will need to discuss the idea of an
Executive Chairman so that the President's workload is more
manageable. He was concerned that the current varroa
situation was not allowing him lime to consider issues that
as Chairman of the Executive he also needed to be covering.

Mr McKenzie felt that Mr Gavin had handled the situation
well during the last 5 weeks and by delegating
responsibilities to members of the Executive and letting
them get on with the job, the workload was well managed.

Mr Gavin then passed the Chairmanship of the next two days
to Mr Taiaroa.

AGENDA REVIEW:

The following items were added to the agenda:

(	Branches

(	AFB Elimination Manual

(	David Bristow Insurance Broker

(	Branchcapitation

(	Trainercourses

(	Conference

(	Publications and Web Page

ANZFA

MINUTES:

The President was authorised to sign the minutes of the
Executive Meeting held March20 and 21 2000.

It was agreed that if Mr Bell had any matters arising from
the minutes he could raise them on his return from MAF.

Lorimer/Gavin  CARRIED

PRESIDENTS ISSUES:

a)      New South Wales Apiarist Association 2000
Conference:

Mr Gavin has been invited to this conference. As he is
unable to attend he will write to them with his and the
NBA's best wishes.

b)	AgriQuality Authorised Persons:

At this stage for the Pest Management Strategy there is no
level 1 or level 2 people. It was decided that this would be
followed up immediately the varroa problem has been dealt
with at a cabinet level.

c)	MFaT.

The President has received a report from Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Trade about Living Modified Organisms. The
letter was tabled.

d)	Library

Hon. Librarian John Heineman is very unwell and will be
unable to carry on the job. It was agreed that Mr Gavin
would talk with Mr Heineman's family and that the position
would be advertised in the June journal.

e)	Northland and Far North Branches of the NBA:

These branches are not functioning. Mr Gavin is to write to
them to see how they wish to function in the future and
suggest that perhaps they amalgamate into one branch.

f)	MethylBromide:

Still available, but is being phased out due to the
greenhouse effect. Mr Gavin to watch developments to ensure
that a sensible alternative is available.

g)	IHEO:

Mr Gavin to follow up with Mr I Berry

h)	KMART Hastings:

The NBA is pleased with Kmart's responsible attitude of
withdrawing from sale last year, gift packs containing
imported honey. Mr Gavin and Mr Leslie to follow up and
thank them.

i)	FoRST.

Mrs Lorimer to discuss with Bill Floyd possibilities for
making an application to them for research funding.

j)	SurfactantReport:

Mr Gavin concerned about the current status of the report It
was agreed that Mr Leslie would discuss with Mark Goodwin.
In the mean time, if people want a copy they can pull it off
the NBA Web Page or they can request a copy from Wellington
Office and be charge for copying of.

k)	Levy:

A couple of people had come to Mr Gavins attention that had
not received this years levy notice. Mr M William's from
Twizel and Mr J Thomson from Taupiri. Mr Leslie to follow
up.

I)	Catalogue of Library:

Will be dealt with around the time of appointment of a
replacement for Mr Heineman.

m)	Update of Annual Report:

Mr Gavin reported that any contributions from Executive
would be appreciated and that all committees need to get
their reports into head office.

"That the 1999 Annual Report be distributed with the June
2000 magazine." McKenzie/Gavin CARRIED

Mr Bell rejoined the meeting and reported briefly on the MAF
meeting.

(       The hobby beekeeper varroa day in Auckland on
Saturday 13 May had been well attended.

(	Work was still ongoing in Te Puke.

(       Rawene find is a low infestation with only 5 hives
infected.

(	The exotic pathogen tests had returned 100% clear.

The total of new registrations now stands at 865 apiaries
and 12,500 hives.

(       AgriQuality is updating the apiary register to allow
for the tracking work etc if eradication goes ahead.

(       Work is still going into a draft operational plan
for eradication.

ANZFA:

Mr Leslie has the draft food standards on CD-ROM. This issue
has probably been a bit forgotten in the last few weeks. Mrs
Lorimer agreed to talk with Ron Law and make any submissions
necessary.

IMPORT STANDARDS FOR BEE PRODUCTS:

This is still an ongoing issue that requires vigilance. Mr
Gavin is to follow up with John Bassett.

ANIMAL PRODUCTS ACT'

Also ongoing. Mr McKenzie to follow up with the relevant
Federated Farmers policy person/people.

GMO's:

ERMA now have NBA's correct address details. Another issue
that needs constant vigilance.

Meeting adjourned at 12. O5pin for lunch and reconvened at
100pm.

MS HELEN BENARD~ Incident Controller, MAF NCDI joined the
meeting and discussed the last few weeks of the Varroa
outbreak and where MAF see things going. Ms Benard discussed
the modelling done for the spread of the Mite and talked
about the ongoing surveillance work and infilling in the
infected zone. She is confident that eradication is
practicable and feasible. Ms Benard stressed that the Te
Puke and Rawene finds were not a real problem as with any
exotic disease outbreak, it should be expected that there
will isolated "hot spots" appear outside the initial zone.

Mr Gavin thanked Ms Benard for her time and all the hard
work she has put in since April 11. She retired from the
meeting at 2. l5pm

LABELLING REQUIREMENTS:

No further action is required at this stage.

REMITS AND RULE CHANGES:

Mr Wallingford, Tauranga has proposed some changes to the
rules and some discussion was held over rule 6(a) i.

Discussion was held on the appropriate solicitor to send
rule changes to for an opinion. Should the NBA now use
Federated Farmers solicitor or retain Morrison Kent? It was
felt that for this year at least that Morrison Kent should
be used to deliberate on rule changes as they have
experience with the NBA.

"That Mr Wallingford's proposed rule changes be referred to
Jane Forrest at Morrison Kent"

Lorimer/Bell    CARRIED

"That rule 6(a) i be referred to Jane Forrest at Morrison
Kent for a comment as to suitable new wording."

Lorimer/Bell  CARRIED

The Executive was reminded that the date for remits closing
is June 4 2000 and that they have to be out to branches by
27 June 2000. After discussion it was agreed that the June
magazine would be used to distribute them.

It was also decided that any proposed rule changes would be
passed straight to Jane Forrest on receipt at Head Office.

OSH SAFETY PLAN:

Mr McKenzie reported that haste is now not important and
that we should probably take a lead from

Federated Farmers. It was agreed that Mr Leslie is to follow
the issue up with the appropriate

Federated Farmers staff

RESEARCH PROJECT:

Mr Gavin raised concerns that this two-year-old project of
Mark Goodwin's is lying around with no action being taken.
It was agreed that it is a great pity that the report has
not been given the attention it deserves.

Mr Leslie to request an electronic copy and arrange for it
to be put on the NBA Web Page. The Executive will consider
the next steps next month.

CODE OF PRACTISE:

The Southland Branch is still working on this. Mr Leslie is
to send them a Trust application form so that the issue can
be progressed.

ROY PATTERSON TROPHY

An advertisement for nominations for the award will be
placed in the June Magazine with a close off for
applications of 30 June 2000.

IMPORT STANDARDS - CONTINUED:

Mr Gavin reported that he had been talking with Mr Bassett
and that the next discussion paper is due in about six
months.

With regard residue tests, will EU test be satisfactory for
Animal Products Act? MAF are to get back to Mr Gavin.

MAF VARROA ERADICATION TECHNICAL GROUP:

Mr Stucky has responded and copied his response to the NBA.
After discussion, it was deemed that the Executive support
Mr Stucky's continued involvement on this group and the NBA
will write to him acknowledging his report and reaffirming
the executive's wish that he stay on the panel.

WEST AUSTRALIAN HONEY IMPORTS:

The Executive decided it is still against the importation of
the honey and that the Secretary is to write to Dr Jim
Edwards and inform him of the NBA's opposition at this time.

LANDCARE RESEARCH BROOM SURVEY:

Mr Gavin to supply the Secretary with the name of the
Landcare person responsible for the survey so that the NBA
can write to them and find out more of what is going on.

COST RECOVERY

The Secretary is to keep a watching brief on costs for
unreasonable requests and phone calls.

CONFERENCE UPDATE:

Mr Gavin reported that the organising committee had been in
contact with some questions about procedure and protocols.

'The Secretary writes to the Poverty Bay Branch and informs
them that:

1.      The host Mayor should be invited to open the
conference

2.      The Executive is happy for Eva Crane to make two
speeches; 1st during seminar and the 2nd during the first
day of conference. The NBA needs to know more about what it
is proposed she will talk about though.)

3.      With regard a panel discussion, it is suggested it
be; 'How to live with the governments decision on Varroa'.

4.      The NBA office will be inviting the Minster of
Agriculture to speak at the conference."

McKenzie/Bell CARRIED

There will need to be reports from:

(	All cominittees

(	Murray Reid, AgriQuality on PMS

(	Mark Goodwin, Hort+Research updates 

Barry O'Neil, MAF Biosecurity on the Varroa situation.

It was also decided that the Varroa situation has changed
the attendance needs of the Executive. There now needs to be
a 2pm meeting on the Monday.

"That the Executive meets in Gisborne at 2pm on Monday July
17 and that bookings be made for 2 rooms Sunday night and
seven rooms Monday-Thursday inclusive"

McKenzie/Lorimer CARRIED

FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE:

Mr Gavin reminded the meeting that we need to be aware of
what MFaT is involved in and that the

Minister of Agriculture is also the Minister of Trade.

COMPUTER:

Mr Taiaroa raised concerns over memory problems with the
Secretary's computer. Mr Leslie advised that the computer he
uses is actually the Young Farmers' Clubs machine and that
Federated Farmers are aware of the problems and they will be
addressed in the next few weeks.

HONEY RESEARCH UNIT.

Mrs Lorimer reported that the Field Days project is well in
hand. Fiona O'Brien will co-ordinate things as a contractor
to the NBA.

There is a need for the NBA to hold public liability
insurance. Mr Leslie to follow up with the Association's
insurance broker.

Meeting adjourned at 5.OOpm.

Tuesday 16 May 2000.

Meeting reconvened at 8.50ain.

ACCOUNTS:

Pavments for approval

Cheque# Creditor        $

(if applicable)

Mar00

717 Executive Caterers       87.50

718 DF Bell               1,016.02

719 West Plaza              804.60

720 T Gavin                 123.98

721 Telecom                   1.90

722 Air New Zealand       2,978.02

723 A Taiaroa               276.40

724 AgriQual             11,706.75

725 AgriQual             23,413.50

726 CHE Print             5,611.82

                         46,020.49

Varroa Related - To Date

Air New Zealand             366.00

A P Shuttles                138.00

Dzina Web Pages             473.64

This Hotel                  398.65

T Gavin Expenses            800.00

Telecom                      47.82

James Cook                1,661.62

West Plaza                2,636.05

Skyway Lodge                175.00

Oakwood Manor             3,494.25

J Lorimer - Tolls           324.98

L McKenzie                  599.20

                         11,115.21

April & May 2000

Dzina Web Pages              33.75

A Taiaroa                   213.50

CHE Print                10,306.17

AgriQual -               23,413.50

AgriQual - Testing        4,776.75

M Bush                      210.16

Creative House            2,475.00

Federated Farmers        34,952.01

Pronto Copy                 219.38

Floyd Marketing           4,368.80

Telecom                      72.08

Clear                        39.18

BNZ Account fee              12.50

Gavins Apiaries             400.24

At Work Insurance           114.31

J Lorimer                    59.90

T Leslie                     72.50

                         81,739.73

                      ------------

                        138,875.43

Current Account at 28/04100
                        323,437.97

                        184,562.54

To Consider

The $30,000 overdraft from the Trust @ 5% 3 months = 30,375
to pay back on 31105/00

"The payments made be ratified and the accounts presented be
approved."

Gavin/Lorimer  CARRIED

"That the $30,000 on loan from the Trust as a form of
overdraft be repaid on 31 May 2000."

Lorimer/McKenzie

CARRIED

"That the Waikato Branch of the NBA account of $3,000.00 for
the National Field Days be paid"

Gavin/Lorimer  CARRIED

Deferrals:

It was decided that the Association would have to go by the
same system as the previous few years for

2000 as there is an ingrained expectation from many levy
payers that they can use the NBA as their

bank. This is unfortunate as the deferral system is only for
cases of genuine hardship such as drought.

An updated system will be brought into place and minuted at
the Annual General Meeting so that there can be no confusion
in the future:

Invoices will be sent in September for payment on 20
February 2001 based on what is on the register at 31 August
2000. This will give AgriQuality ample time to update the
register based on the ADR's.

A statement will be sent on 31 December 2000 as a reminder.

2000 YEAR ADR's:

Executive was disappointed that this years Annual Disease
Return's had not been sent by due date. It was felt that
regardless of the fact that Varroa had arrived on April 11
2000, they should have been ready to go at the end of March.

It was decided that the Secretary writes to AgriQuality and
expresses the NBA's disappointment that the ADR's were late.

ACC:

At this stage, because the NBA is not an employer there is
no issue of concern. The issue needs a watching brief.

FRST:

Mrs Lorimer to talk with Bill Floyd and Mr Gavin to talk
with Mark Goodwin with regard opportunities or action that
the NBA needs to consider.

WEB PAGE:

The Secretary to check the MAF page to ensure that the NBA
contacts are up to date. Also important to consider future
development to ensure that the page, www.nba.org.nz is
relevant and up to date.

TRUSTEES:

Executive discussed the terms of current Trustees. Consensus
is that at tins stage there is no need to consider any
changes to the Trustees.

The Executive also discussed the use of the Trusts once
there has been a decision from government on Varroa. At this
time the NBA will have to consider making application to
help with education, publicity and membership issues.

NEXT EXECUTIVE MEETING:

Teleconference at 7.3Opm on 13 June 2000.

Executive meeting in Gisborne 2.OOpm, Monday 17 July 2000.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

(       Exotics - no report. Mr McKenzie reported that he
had attempted to make contact with the chairman of the
committee during the first fortnight of the Varroa response
to ascertain the Committees response and thoughts. Still no
action apart from Mr Lindsay making contact and visiting Mr
Taiaroa at Head Office.

(       PMS. Mr Bush had contacted asking for a direction
for the Committee. The Executive felt that regardless of the
Varroa situation, the PMS Committee should carry on with
it's AFB work and work towards getting their report to the
Minister and thinking about the contract for next year.

(       Marketing. Had already reported earlier. Field days
the main activity.

(       Publications. Considering a new magazine publisher
who will gather advertising and publish the journal at no
cost to the NBA apart from postage.

Meeting adjourned for lunch at 12.15 and reconvened at
1.OOpm.

MR DORAN - CHB PRINT:

Mr Doran joined the meeting until 1.45pm and discussed
general Beekeeper Magazine management issues with the
Executive. He stressed the need for the address labels to be
post coded for better value postage and that articles and
advertising must be in on time.

TRAINING OF TRAINERS DAYS:

These two sessions were held at Ruakura and Lincoln on
consecutive days.

"The Secretary to write to Mr B Stevenson and ascertain the
attendance at each day and supply the

NBA bank account number so that Mr Stevenson can deposit the
proceeds from the days."

Lorimer/McKenzie        CARRIED

APPLICATIONS TO TRUST:

The only application the Executive was aware of related to
investigation of spray drift. Mr Bell to follow-up and get
back to the Secretary if any action is required.

AUDIT OF APIARY REGISTER:

"That the report be received, members submit their comments
to the Secretary. Any recommendations for further action on
access and maintenance be deferred for discussion at the
June meeting."

Bell/Lorimer    CARRIED

LEVY DEFERRAL POLICY

The issue of deferrals was revisited. After discussion a new
policy was proposed:

Apply in writing by 31 December stating reason for
application with supporting documentation. The payment
schedule to be:

1/3 on receipt of application, post dated to 31 March

1/3 on31 May,

1/3on31 July.

if any cheque bounces, the debt to sent straight to a
collection agency.

if the second instalment is late, it doubles.

This policy will be taken to the AGM so that it is minuted
as an AGM action.

VARROA:

A letter from Mr B Stevenson was tabled. Mr Stevenson
considers that Varroa should be included in a pest
management strategy.  The Executive considered the issue and
decided that any action is premature as the NBA still does
not know what the end situation will be and currently is not
resourced for a Varroa PMS. Once a cabinet decision is made,
the Association will be in a better position to plan.

Mr Bell discussed some of his concerns about the future
regarding education and social support. "That the NBA
consult the appropriate experts (e.g. Andrew Matheson) to
pull together the relevant information about dealing with
varroa and establishing a Varroa investigation unit. (This
may involve funding from the trust to employ a student
research person.)"

Bell/Lorimer

CARRIED

"The Secretary to discuss with Federated Farmers how best to
tackle the issue of social assistance for apiarists who may
find themselves in difficulty dealing with the consequences
of the Varroa incident."

McKenzie/Bell  CARRIED

Mr Gavin talked about the $2,5000 cheque sent to the office
to set up a fighting fund. It was decided to write to the
donor and thank them for their kind donation, stress that at
this stage it is too early to tag the money to specific
varroa programmes.

The Secretary is also to send a copy of the MAF Techincal
Group's report to the NBA's Easter Monday Group.

AEB ELIMINATION MANUAL:

Some concern was raised that the journal Bee Bizz is
advertising the manual for sale. The Secretary to follow up
on issues of copy write and sale of the manual when Mr
Taiaroa sends a copy to the office.

PUBLICATIONS:

The magazine was revisited. In light of the proposal from
McKenzie Thornton publishers it was decided that Mr McKenzie
is to follow up with them and discuss issues around editing
and delivery' to the appropriate postal centre. Report back
to the June meeting.

LAST YEARS REMITS:

Executive members to address these and report at the June
meeting.

Meeting closed at 4. 10pm.