The discovery of the bee killing varroa mite in many North Island hive locations has been big news lately as has the finding of three venomous snakes. Work through and develop the following ideas with the students using a flow chart, brainstorming and mind mapping approach. Countries may not accept live bees from a country that is infected by the mite. Many countries import live bees from New Zealand. Orchardists and horticulturists depend on the bees to pollinate the flowers to produce the fruit for crops such as apples and kiwifruit - consequences for them and for our exports.
Bees pollinate the white clover in our pastures.
Clover is an important stock food and fixes the nitrogen into the soil which improves pasture growth. Increased fertilizer applications means greater farm costs and possible environmental effects. It may be possible to control the mite with pesticides. Many women's cosmetics exported from New Zealand are sold using our clean green image. Consider consequences for flower growers and exporters.