AFB Recognition Courses
We are providing non-DECA holders with the opportunity to attend an AFB Recognition course and pass the test as a pre requisite for applying for a Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement (DECA). If you would like more information about the DECA, please refer to our policy – CLICK HERE
DECA holders agree to implement practices and procedures sufficient to eliminate AFB from their beehives and no longer need to submit a Certificate of Inspection. Please be aware that the DECA will only be approved once you have done the required steps to obtaining your DECA as outlined in the above policy.
All correspondence relating to AFB recognition course training (with test) and refresher training (with no test) should be directed to Janette Gwilliam, contact details are training@afb.org.nz or phone 0800 232 767 and choose option 4.
For more information about our AFB refresher courses – CLICK HERE
And information regarding taking the AFB Recognition Course test via Proctor – CLICK HERE.
The AFB Test is now available in Maori, Korean, Filipino and Mandarin (Simplified Chinese). Please advise Janette if you require the above to be sent to the trainer for your course.
Important:
If you are planning on attending an AFB Recognition Course it is strongly recommended that you purchase and study a copy of the book titled “Elimination of American Foulbrood Disease without the Use of Drugs” commonly referred to as the yellow book. This worthwhile publication can be obtained from:
- Your local beekeeping supplier
- Apiculture New Zealand – click here to go to the online shop
- Latest 2018 Revised Edition: – cost: $39.95 (plus postage costs $7.50)
Course Information
Most courses run from 9am – to approx. 3pm. There is a break for lunch then completion of the course and test in the afternoon. Tea & coffee will be provided but applicants must bring their own lunch. To register for the courses, please complete the application form at the bottom of this website and immediately make your payment to the bank details listed to secure your place. You will receive a receipt of your payment which will secure your place on this course as well as outline some tips to help prepare for the test.
Courses cost $100 per person are limited to 25 paid participants – the course will be listed as full once this has been reached.
Should beekeepers who fall outside of the regions mentioned require a course(s), given there is reasonable support, we will do our best to organise additional courses. Please email Janette Gwilliam at training@afb.org.nz with your location details.
Below are the courses for the remainder of 2019 and most of 2020, this calendar is still being updated as dates and locations are confirmed.
Please complete the registration form to submit your application.
Hamilton – 16 November – Anglesea Motel – 9am
THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL – 23 May 2020 next course or 21 March for refresher
Levin – 23 November – Thompson House – 9am
SPACES STILL AVAILABLE
Kerikeri – 23 November – Northtec Kerikeri – 9am
SPACES STILL AVAILABLE
Christchurch – 14 December – Papanui Public Library – 9am
SPACES STILL AVAILABLE
2020
Christchurch – Sunday 2 February – Papanui Public Library – 9am
New Plymouth – Sunday 2 February – Demonstration Farm – 49 East Road – Stratford – 9am
Hastings – 16 February – LBT Centre – 204 Warren Street – 9am
Invercargill – 22 February – Woodlands Tavern – Woodlands – 9am
Gisborne – 29 February – EIT (room to be confirmed) – Gisborne – 9am
Woodville – Sunday 1 March – Ballantrae – 147 Hope Road – Woodville – 9am
Lower Hutt – 7 March – Lower Hutt Events Centre – Laings Road – Lower Hutt – 9am
Pukekohe – 7 March – Pukekohe Old Borough Building – Pukekohe – 9am
Ashburton – 7 March – Ashburton RSA – 9am
Blenheim – 14 March – NMIT Budge Street – Blenheim – 9am
Whangarei – 14 March – ASB Stadium – Whangarei – 9am
Amberley – 14 March – Amberley Library – 9am
Dunedin – 21 March – Momona Hall – 9am
(course held in central Dunedin on 11 April)
Lincoln – Sunday 29 March – Lincoln University – 9am
Remuera – 4 April – Somervell Presbyterian Church – 9am
Nelson – 4 April – NMIT – 9am
Dunedin – 18 April – Otago Polytech Dunedin – 9am
Glenfield – 18 April – Glenfield Memorial Hall – Hall Road – Glenfield – 9am
Nelson – 18 April – NMIT – 9am
New Plymouth – Sunday 19 April – Brougham Heights Motel – Brougham Street – 9am
Timau – 2 May – Ara Polytech – Timaru – 9am
Paeroa – 2 May – Pedlars Motel – Arney Street – Paeroa – 9am
Masterton – 9 May – Wairarapa Community Hall – 10am
Howick – 16 May – Howick RSA – Wellington Street – Howick – 9am
Kaitaia – 16 May – Christian Fellowship – 149 Pukepoto Road – Kaitaia – 9am
Hamilton – 23 May – Distinction Hotel & Conference Centre – Hamilton – 9am
Point Chev – Sunday 24 May – Pt Chev Community Centre – Huia Road – Point Chev – 9am
Orewa – 30 May – Hibiscus Coast Community House – 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway – 9am
Te Anau – Sunday 31 May – venue TBC – 10am
Palmerston North – 6 June – Crossroads Church – Church St – Palmerston North – 9am
Rangiora – 13 June – Rangiora Showgrounds – 9am
Oamaru – 20 June – LandSAR HQ – 9am
Whangarei – 20 June – ASB Stadium – Whangarei – 9am
Northcote Auckland – 26 June – Northcote War Memorial Hall – Northcote Point – 9am
Te Kauwhata – 4 July – Te Kauwhata Bowling Club – 9am
Christchurch – Sunday 5 July – Papanui Public Library – 9am
Lower Hutt – 11 July – Lower Hutt Events Centre – Laings Road – Lower Hutt – 9am
New Plymouth – Sunday 12 July – Brougham Heights Motel – Brougham Street – 9am
Pukekohe – 1 August – Pukekohe Old Borough Building – Pukekohe – 9am
Glenfield – 1 August – Glenfield Memorial Hall – Hall Road – Glenfield – 9am
Hamilton – 8 August – Distinction Hotel & Conference Centre – Hamilton – 9am
Whangarei – 15 August – ASB Stadium – Whangarei – 9am
Taihape – 15 August – Ruapehu REAP Rooms – Tui Street – 10am
Hastings – Sunday 16 August – LBT Centre – 204 Warren Street – 9am
Dunedin – 22 August – Otago Polytech Dunedin – 9am
Cromwell – 5 September – Otago Polytech Cromwell Campus – 9am
Blenheim – 5 September – NMIT Budge Street – Blenheim – 9am
Masterton – 12 September – Wairarapa Community Hall – 10am
Christchurch – Sunday 13 September – Papanui Public Library – 9am
Invercargill – 20 September – Woodlands Tavern – Woodlands – 9am
Orewa – 26 September – Hibiscus Coast Community House – 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway – 9am
Gisborne – 3 October – EIT (room to be confirmed) – Gisborne – 9am
Glenfield – 3 October – Glenfield Memorial Hall – Hall Road – Glenfield – 9am
Huntly – 10 October – St Johns Hall – Huntly – 9am
Ashburton – 10 October – Ashburton RSA – 9am
Palmerston North – 10 October – Crossroads Church – Church St – Palmerston North – 9am
Lower Hutt – 17 October – Lower Hutt Events Centre – Laings Road – Lower Hutt – 9am
Amberley – 17 October – Amberley Library – 9am
Paeroa – 7 November – Pedlars Motel – Arney Street – Paeroa – 9am
Kaitaia – 7 November – Christian Fellowship – 149 Pukepoto Road – Kaitaia – 9am
Hamilton – 14 November – Distinction Hotel & Conference Centre – Hamilton – 9am
New Plymouth – Sunday 15 November – Brougham Heights Motel – Brougham Street – 9am
Christchurch – Sunday 6 December – Papanui Public Library – 9am
AFB recognition and competency test application form
Take the AFB 5 minute quiz
How well do you know what you need to know about AFB and beekeeping? Take our short quiz and find out.
Videos
Our videos cover everything from your legal obligations to how to recognise AFB, collecting cell and bee samples and more.
Symptoms
There’s a lot of good information here, telling you everything you need to know about recognising AFB: the visual symptoms, smell of AFB and more.
Inspection and Diagnosis
Successfully eliminate AFB by telling the difference between symptoms of AFB and other brood diseases in the hive. We tell you the best methods for inspecting your hives.
The Law
New Zealand beekeepers have a number of legal obligations that must be met regarding AFB disease. Read the shortened list in summary, here.
Elimination
Most hives become infected because bees, honey or equipment have been put into a hive from another hive that is infected with AFB. Lower your chances of an AFB infection by reading this section.
AFB Recognition Course Info
Find out when the next AFB Recognition and Competency Courses, or Refresher Courses are available. These are held throughout the year in various New Zealand locations across the South Island and North Island.
The AFB App
Follow the link below to open the App. Once open to save to your device you need to bookmark the URL on your phone so you can find it easily again. Please click here to open.