Beekeeping Advisor and Trainer
Agriculture & Horticultural Sustainability
Closing date: 7/1/2026
Download Job DescriptionApply onlineJob description
Te Whāinga | Our Purpose
Te Hono Tangata - Te Huringa Ora
Connecting People – Transforming Lives.
Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) connects skilled volunteers with organisations and communities throughout the Pacific and beyond to support locally identified aspirations and achieve sustainable change.
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About the role
This is an opportunity to become a VSA Volunteer and share your experience, skills and knowledge while building capacity in the Cook Islands. You will work alongside our local partner organisation to strengthen beekeeping practices, support local beekeepers, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the sector.
We are seeking an experienced Beekeeping Advisor or someone with highly relevant transferable skills who understands the spirit of volunteering and is passionate about capability building in the Pacific.
This assignment is based in Rarotonga, Cook Islands and is for 12 months .
VSA will support you by funding and organising your flights, visas, insurance, accommodation, living allowance and utilities while on assignment.
Ngā tino Pūkenga/Wheako | Essential Skills and Experience
We are looking for someone with:
- Extensive experience as a beekeeper
- A New Zealand DECA (Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement) Certificate
- Experience constructing, establishing and maintaining healthy bee colonies
- Experience extracting honey and other bee products
- Experience developing, documenting and writing beekeeping guidelines
- Knowledge of biosecurity requirements relating to apiculture
- Experience developing and delivering beekeeping training programmes
- Strong communication skills and the ability to train individuals and groups
- An interest in mentoring and supporting emerging beekeepers
Desirable
- Knowledge of a range of hive systems, including Langstroth, Top Bar, Flow Hives and Observation Hives
- Experience producing value-added bee products such as candles, wax products and skincare items
- Experience supporting industry groups, associations or community organisations
Important note: Due to VSA funding requirements, volunteers must be New Zealand citizens or New Zealand permanent residents to progress through the recruitment process.
Our Partner Organisation – Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) The Ministry of Agriculture promotes and supports agricultural development across the Cook Islands, with responsibilities including food security, research and development, livestock, crop production and biosecurity.
The Ministry's Advisory Services Division provides technical advice and support to communities and stakeholders, including leadership of the Cook Islands beekeeping sector.
The Assignment – Beekeeping Advisor - The Cook Islands beekeeping sector is small but growing, with an increasing number of beekeepers producing honey for local markets. The environment is highly favourable for beekeeping, with year-round flying conditions and very few known bee diseases. Notably, the Cook Islands remains free from Varroa and has not recorded American Foulbrood since the 1990s.
The Ministry of Agriculture has recently re-established a dedicated beekeeping function and is supporting the development of the newly formed Cook Islands Beekeepers Association.
As a volunteer, you will:
- Support Ministry staff to strengthen beekeeping advisory services
- Assist and mentor new and existing beekeepers
- Support initiatives aimed at developing export opportunities for Cook Islands honey and hive products
- Assist with disease-free status initiatives, including ongoing DNA testing and AI disease detection trials
- Provide technical advice on biosecurity and hive management
- Deliver training and capacity-building programmes for Ministry staff and beekeepers
- Support the development of the Cook Islands Beekeepers Association, including grant funding applications and workshops
- Help maintain and develop beekeeping standards and best-practice guidelines
- Promote beekeeping through community engagement, schools, media and public awareness activities
This assignment offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the future of a growing beekeeping sector while helping build sustainable local capability.
The Country – The Cook Islands is a self governing nation in free association with New Zealand, located in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. Known for its stunning lagoons, tropical climate and welcoming culture, the Cook Islands offers an exceptional opportunity to experience island life while making a meaningful contribution to local development.
Rarotonga, the main island, combines modern amenities with a strong sense of community and rich Polynesian culture.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply Please apply for this opportunity through the VSA website.
For more information or questions about this assignment, contact our recruitment team at:
volunteer@vsa.org.nz
What’s included
Included when you join us
VSA organises and fully funds return economy-class international flights between New Zealand and your host country, plus any approved domestic travel connected to your assignment.
You’re covered under VSA’s comprehensive travel and medical insurance policy, which also includes emergency evacuation and personal belongings coverage. Before departure, you’ll receive full information on what’s covered and how to access support.
VSA arranges and funds safe, furnished accommodation throughout your assignment, whether you're in a capital or rural location. A housing checklist ensures your needs are met for comfort and security.
You’ll receive a modest monthly living allowance, paid into a local bank account, designed to cover essentials like food, transport, and utilities. This is in line with VSA’s cost-of-living support for volunteers.
Before you leave, VSA provides a multi-day residential briefing in Wellington, fully funded by VSA. This includes cultural orientation, language training, health and safety guidelines, and logistical preparation to get you deployment-ready
From your first day on assignment, you’ll have strong in-country support from VSA staff, Programme Managers and Coordinators, who provide orientation, security briefings, pastoral care, and ongoing assistance throughout your placement.
Preparation
How to prepare?
Be prepared for a comprehensive recruitment journey. This includes initial screening, background checks, and two interviews, one of which is a panel interview with a subject matter expert. Only after successfully completing these steps will you receive a provisional offer and begin the onboarding process. It’s essential to wait for VSA’s confirmation before making significant life changes, such as resigning from your job or selling property, as there may be delays in immigration or medical clearances.
Once accepted, you'll be invited to attend a multi-day residential briefing in Wellington. This course equips you with tools for success, covering cultural orientation, safety protocols, health preparation, and assignment logistics. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with other outgoing volunteers.
Volunteering abroad can be both deeply rewarding and personally challenging. Conditions may be unfamiliar, and change is often constant. Bring flexibility, a sense of humour, and a willingness to learn from others, you’ll grow alongside the community you’re there to support.
You’ll need to complete a health screening and ensure all required vaccinations are up to date. VSA provides medical and travel insurance, but you are also responsible for managing your day-to-day wellbeing. Think about how you'll maintain mental and physical health while overseas.
VSA asks volunteers to become ambassadors for the kaupapa. You will be asked to fundraise $1,000 to support the programme and raise awareness about your assignment. We provide resources and guidance to help you share your story and connect your networks with the impact of your work.
The platform we ask you to use is Raisely.
From visa applications to police checks and health forms, there are a few critical administrative tasks before departure. Our team will guide you through the steps to make sure everything is completed on time and with ease.
