It’s a road trip like no other. And it’s creating quite the buzz. In a New Zealand first, 120,000 bees are taking to the road in a fully electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz van that’s been transformed into a mobile hive. Led by local beekeeper James Green from Hidden Honey, the Volkswagen Pollination Tour aims to raise awareness about the vital role pollinators play in keeping Aotearoa vibrant and blooming. From that flat white you drink each morning, to the sweet strawberries and apples we enjoy in summer.
James, who has spent the past eight years caring for honeybees alongside his two brothers, says the journey is about reconnecting people with nature and celebrating the magic of bees. “Bees aren’t just pollinators,” he says. “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.”
As flowering habitats decline and land use changes, pollination rates have been dropping in parts of the country, putting pressure on both ecosystems and food production. The tour, which travels from Clevedon to Wellington, hopes to change that by encouraging people to plant bee-friendly blooms, create safe spaces for pollinators and support local beekeepers.
The bees’ new home on wheels carries two active colonies inside a hive-like environment designed to keep them comfortable on their journey. The van’s interior is climate-controlled to replicate natural hive conditions and includes entry and exit tubes so the bees can safely come and go to pollinate as they travel.
The choice of vehicle nods to the original 1960s VW Kombi, once a symbol of the ‘flower power’ movement, now reimagined for a new era of sustainability and environmental awareness. As the van travels the North Island, James will stop at farmers’ markets to hand out wildflower seeds and share the story of how small actions can make a big difference.
“Bees are incredible little beings, quietly shaping our world,” James says. “Following them on this journey is a way to celebrate that magic, and hopefully inspire Kiwis to plant flowers, nurture their gardens and give a little love back to the land.”
The tour has kicked off at the Clevedon Village Farmers Market, and will wrap up in Wellington on 26 October. After the final stop, the van and her buzzing passengers will head home to the Hidden Honey farm in Clevedon.
With 120,000 bees leading the way, this first-of-its-kind road trip blends community, education and sustainability… reminding us that caring for nature starts close to home, and even the tiniest wings can create a ripple of change across the country.