Bruce Wills, former Federated Farmers president, has been appointed to the position of independent chair for Apiculture New Zealand.

He has been the acting chair of the Apiculture New Zealand Board since the board's inception in June and will now take up the role in a permanent position.

'The future is bright for the New Zealand bee and honey industry and I look forward to having an ongoing role in growing that future, it's an exciting time to be involved in such an important sector,” says Bruce.

He was appointed following an extensive recruitment process and demonstrated proven and experienced governance skills as well as respected linkages across government and the wider primary sector. Bruce has been appointed for a three-year term from November 2016.

He has a long and varied background in the primary sector. As well as this new role, Bruce sits on two national science challenge boards, is a director of Horticulture NZ, QEII National Trust and Ravensdown.

He chairs the NZ Poplar & Willow Research Trust and Ministry for Primary Industries's Deer Primary Growth Partnership. He is an experienced company director, a past representative of New Zealand and international farming and trade forums, and has farms in the Hawkes Bay.

Apiculture New Zealand is the peak body supporting New Zealand beekeepers and the wider honey products industry. Its members include some of the biggest beekeeping companies in New Zealand, many of which are major producers and exporters of high value manuka honey.

Last year the estimated value of honey exports was $223 million, with New Zealand ranked as the world's third largest exporter of honey by value.