Apiculture

New Zealand’s apiculture industry operates to some of the highest food safety and export standards in the world. As a Recognised Agency approved under the Animal Products Act 1999, we pride ourselves on delivering a highly personalised evaluation and verification services. 

With extensive knowledge of apiculture regulations and industry practice, we deliver efficient, reliable verification services that support your business, strengthen your reputation, and enable growth across domestic and international markets. Our verification team brings extensive honey production and auditing experience, supported by a dedicated key account manager. As a customer you can expect direct technical access to your highly skilled Approved Persons, to be viewed as an extension of your quality team.  

We work closely with beekeepers, packers, processors, and exporters to ensure compliance across the full apiculture supply chain, from extraction and processing through to finished product approval and export readiness. As a well‑connected team, we maintain strong service consistency and provide tailored support across the honey supply chain. 

Our Capabilities 

  • Risk Management Programmes (RMPs): Supporting robust food safety, traceability, and risk management 
  • National Programmes (NPs): Ensuring compliance with recognised domestic standards under the Food Act 2014. 
  • Certification of bee products for export: Meeting New Zealand legislative requirements and the expectations of overseas markets. 

Contact Us   Submit a Service Request Change RA to Hill Labs

Also need testing? 

Hill Labs brings together laboratory testing, inspection, and certification services under one organisation. This integrated model supports efficient compliance, clear communication, and reliable outcomes. 

Learn about our honey testing services

Latest Stories

Staff Profile: Jason Cust - Delivering Clarity and Consistency in Regulatory Compliance

As a Technical Specialist in the Inspection & Certification team, Jason Cust has a background in microbiology, quality systems, and regulatory compliance. Working across the dairy and animal products industries, Jason's role involves verifying compliance with the Animal Products Act and supporting safe production.
  26 Apr 2026

ANZAC Hours 2026

A reminder that several of our laboratories will be closed over the upcoming ANZAC holiday. The following labs will be closed on Saturday 25th April and Monday 27th April. READ MORE.
  22 Apr 2026

Staff Profile: Samuel Brooks - Building High Performing Teams to Help Protect Public Health

Samuel Brooks leads the team at Hill Labs Inspection & Certification, working alongside specialists who help organisations meet regulatory requirements and protect public health across New Zealand. He enjoys building strong, high‑performing teams, growing the business in a sustainable way, and playing his part in protecting New Zealand’s reputation with trading partners around the world.
  15 Apr 2026

What our customers have to say

"We've always found them to be responsive in getting results back and giving advice on problems we might be facing."

Andrew Hutchinson, Technical Manager, Turners & Growers

"We strongly recommend Hill Labs as a sound testing service provider to the honey industry."

Nick Walker, Technical Manager, Egmont Honey

"Their sample registration system has made things simple and seamless - collect, scan and send!"

Mathew Bannister, Compliance Manager, First Fresh New Zealand

Accreditations

As a New Zealand accredited laboratory by International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ), Hill Labs' commitment to quality is tantamount to our overall operating philosophy. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work.