I can understand no antibiotics or vaccines. New Zealand is notoriously heavy handed.

But I can't understand no insurance. Part of me feels like they forwent even trying to get insurance, despite the obvious risk of potentially having to burn your hives. Or got quoted and decided against it.

Just a moment of googling found an insurer immediately... https://aon.co.nz/agri-business/bee-insurance

So now I feel a bit less "The state is screwing me over" and a bit more "I didn't get insurance, got burned, and now want to socialize the loss with a heart-strings story."