VW’s ID.Buzz is NZ’s first mobile beehive for a cause
Beekeeper James Green converted the ID. Buzz for the Volkswagen Pollination Tour. Photos: VW NZ
With the name Volkswagen ID. Buzz, it makes sense that the all-new electric vehicle is the first mobile beehive in New Zealand and on a special mission.
Beekeeper James Green from Hidden Honey and his 120,000 bees will be hitting the road across the North Island to educate Kiwis on pollination thanks to the Volkswagen Pollination Tour.
The bees will travel to farmers’ markets in the ID. Buzz, a modern evolution of the iconic VW Type 2 Kombi, which in the 1960s symbolised natural aka Flower Power. At the weekend markets, Green will hand out wildflower seeds and give communities the chance to see the hives up close and learn about the vital role pollinators play in keeping Aotearoa blooming.
The interior is climate-controlled to replicate natural conditions.
He’ll share why pollinators are so important and how simple it is for Kiwis to make a difference, from planting bee-friendly blooms to supporting local beekeepers and creating safe spaces for pollinators.
Much of New Zealand’s food production relies on pollination, yet as flowering habitats decline and land use changes, pollination rates are falling in parts of the country, putting pressure on both ecosystems and food production.
"Bees aren’t just pollinators – 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," says James.
James Green wants to educate Kiwis on the importance of bees.
The van has been transformed into a hive-like environment and now houses active colonies with entry and exit tubes, allowing the bees to safely come and go as they please to pollinate.
The interior is climate-controlled to replicate natural conditions and keep the bees comfortably cool, just as they would be in a standard hive.
James will oversee the colonies throughout the tour, and at each stop, safely supporting the bees on their journey.
The van has been transformed into a hive-like environment.
"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,
The bees settled into their mobile hive at James’s Clevedon bee farm at the end of September 2025, ahead of the road trip kicking off on 12 October at the Clevedon Village Farmers Market.
From there, the tour will travel down the North Island to connect with communities, with the next farmers market stop in Whanganui on 18 October and the final stop in Wellington on 26 October. After that, the bees will return overnight to Clevedon, back to their home on the farm.
The active colonies with entry and exit tubes in the ID.Buzz
