New Zealand -2023 Native Bee Ngaro Huruhuru- 2 oz Silver Proof Coin

  
New Zealand is known around the world for its bee-related exports. Honey, the Buzzy Bee toy and even live insects. Less known is the significance of New Zealand's native bees - they don't make honey, nor do they look much like the stereotypical specimen, but they are critical to our unique ecosystem. There are nearly 20,000 bee species recognised around the world. New Zealand is home to just 40 of them, the majority of which are endemic. Most people's impressions of bees involve hives, honey and orangey-brown and black stripes. The humble ngaro huruhuru subvert these expectations. To our eyes, they might look more like flies than bees. Despite a global decline in bee populations, the growth of the manuka honey industry has led to a rapid increase in honeybee hives in New Zealand. This has had an unfortunate impact on native bees, who are now competing for food. However, it's climate change, human treatment and the use of land that are the greater threats to our bees. First-ever New Zealand coin celebrating the native bee. Minted from 2oz of 0.999 silver. Designed by Wellington artist Sacha Lees. Low worldwide mintage of 400 coins. Of New Zealand's bees, the. Genus is the best recognised. A maximum of 12 millimetres long, they look the most like honeybees. They're all black except for. Which has dense orange-yellow hair. This species is featured on the coin, alongside the manuka flowers it pollinates. The coin features gold-plated text and a pattern of recessed circles on the edge representing the fact that the bees nest in the ground. Proof with gold plating and colour printing. Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, United Kingdom. Sacha Lees, Wellington, New Zealand. BH Mayer's Kunstprägeanstalt GmbH.