Purchases of Tipping Point 'Working Bee' Chardonnay, go toward a $10,000 donation to our charity partner, The New Zealand Bumblebee Conservation Trust (NZBCT).

We sat down with Geoff Brunsden, Chairman of the NZ Bumblebee Conservation Trust to learn a bit more about the important work they do to help promote the conservation and long term future of bumblebees in NZ.

What was NZ Bumblebee Conservation Trusts’ biggest highlight in 2022?
Having very significant donated funds thanks to the generous donation from Al Browns' Tipping Point, which enabled roll out a national programme of supplying 'Home Garden Bumblebee hives' to various community groups as well as media recognition and interest in the cause.

What do you see as your biggest challenge in 2023?
Finding enough recipients for sponsored hives. 2023 has so far been affected by bad weather creating difficulties with production of live Bumblebee colonies.

What can people can do to make life better for Bumblebees?
Grow some flowers at your place even if you haven't got much space. Flowers in pots on the deck and/or plant flowers with the vegetables in that garden. Critical time for flowers for Bumbles is early spring to feed new queens emerging from hibernation.

What are 3 facts most people probably don’t know about the importance of Bumblebees?
- One Bumblebee will do the pollination work of 50 honeybees!
- Growers of glasshouse tomatoes can increase their production by up to 30 percent by having Bumblebee hives .
- One mouthful in three of the food we eat is totally dependent on bee pollination of which Bumblebees are essential 

What have you put the $10k Tipping Point donation towards?
Supporting further research and creation of a simple and cost effective "man made hive" that results in the best success; where a Queen Bumblebee will call home and set up a new colony. 

To find out more visit www.nzbct.org.nz