New Zealand is doing a good job at protecting bee colonies when compared with other countries.

A new survey reveals this country lost 9.8 percent of beehives last year, while most other places are recording losses greater than 10 percent.

Disease, pests, starvation and issues with queen bees are the biggest challenges in keeping the bee population buzzing.

Ministry for Primary Industries spokesperson Michael Taylor says tough biosecurity laws are preserving the population here.

" We do have a low prevalence of pests and diseases in our beehive colonies compared with overseas countries, so there is a number of things that work in our favour."

He says sadly not all beehives can be saved.

" I think we should be very happy with the current rate of loss we are seeing, that's how it is when you are working with an industry and amongst the environment, we can always expect and certain rate of loss."