Tonight on Sunday ` the plight of the humble bee. Our bees are struggling here. We need bees. They're estimated to be worth more than $5b a year to the NZ economy. One mouthful in three is directly attributed to bee pollination. But our bees are in trouble. How long do you think we've got left, then? Is it true you were meant to do the Pride and Prejudice scene naked? Is it true you were meant to do the Pride and Prejudice scene naked? Yes. And Colin and Nicole bare all. Is that commando? Is that commando? Commando, yeah. Blowing in the breeze. Copyright Able 2014 Kia ora. I'm Miriama Kamo. Ever heard of bee-pocalypse? Or bee-mageddon? They might sound like nifty little expressions, but they describe a serious issue. Our bees are in danger. And if they're in danger, our food supply could be too. Now, more than ever, the unsung champions of our economy, honey bees, need us to help them survive. This story from John Hudson. BEES BUZZ OMINOUS MUSIC If we didn't have bees, there would be no apples, no avocados, no strawberries, no beautiful flowers, no chocolate, no coffee. Without honey bees, wow, you'd lose all the vibrancy in our diet. Maureen Maxwell loves bees. She's a bee expert who travels the world talking about why we need bees. One mouthful in three is directly attributed to bee pollination. For millions of years bees have been pollinating plants, collecting nectar from their flowers, making honey. But now bees, even here in NZ, are dying. We are losing bees. Our bees are struggling here. Struggling because of parasites, insecticides, disease. Bees, in the old days ` in a nice, happy environment ` lived happily on... on honey, and they were healthy and strong. They didn't need a lot of natural resistance. Now there's so many things they're getting bombarded with that they just can't cope. Listen to that. BUZZING Honey bees at work. They're estimated to be worth more than $5b a year to the NZ economy ` not only because of the honey they produce, but also because of pollination of our export crops. Our apple crop last year ` 16 million cartons export; about 29 million cartons total. If an apple tree isn't pollinated, the one thing you can't do is hang an apple on a tree after that flower's gone. Oh, look at this. That's beautiful. Hastings beekeeper Deanna Corbett runs 100 hives. Oh, look, there's the queen. > Oh, look, there's the queen. > Oh, yes. > Deanna knows that bees are the world's most important insect pollinators. What would happen if there weren't bees? What would happen if there weren't bees? No crop. No crop, no income, no jobs for our workers, no Hawke's Bay economy. Do you want a taste? All right. Look. She's also mum to possibly NZ's youngest beekeeper ` 6-year-old Leo. Do you think there is some honey in here? Do you think there is some honey in here? Yeah. So, what's your favourite bit about beekeeping? So, what's your favourite bit about beekeeping? Having a little taste of the honey. Bees are crucial for our horticultural success... And this, I always say, is a bit like yummy, luscious white chocolate. ...and for our unique Kiwi honey. It's very sweet, very floral. Um, quite amazing, the flavours. It's very sweet, very floral. Um, quite amazing, the flavours. That is gorgeous, yeah. Tawari, rata, rewarewa. It's sunlight on a stick, isn't it? The flavours of our native bush collected by bees. But we can no longer take them for granted. We need bees, and now honey bees need us. Since varroa arrived in NZ, bees can no longer survive without the help of humans. Varroa means we no longer have any wild bees. And without wild bees, there's less naturally-occurring pollination. What happened when varroa hit NZ? We lost half our bees. We were very lucky to keep the other half. And it's taken us 13 years to recover to now. To stop hives being destroyed by varroa, bees now have to be treated ` usually with chemicals ` to kill this blood-sucking mite. But what's really worrying is that varroa is already resistant to two of the three chemicals used to control it. Resistance is a major, major problem worldwide, but in NZ as well. So scientists like Dr Mark Goodwin are monitoring our bees, trying to figure out the next step in the battle against varroa. What we're doing around varroa is not sustainable long-term. Well, how long do you think we've got left, then? Well, how long do you think we've got left, then? It's... hard to know, but it might be within a couple of years. but it might be within a couple of years. So, what's the answer? There's no easy answer, unfortunately. That's the end of the silver bullets. And varroa isn't the only threat facing bees and beekeepers. We don't want anything else to decimate our industry like varroa has. It could actually get worse, though ` much worse. Overseas, huge numbers of bees are dying. 30%, 50%, 60% of some colonies are, um... are just being totally decimated. Particularly in the US, where the number of hives has halved in the past 50 years. There, pollination has been industrialised on a massive scale. We are a mobile industry. We run hundreds of thousands of miles every year. This month, more than half the honey bees in America are being trucked into California to pollinate hundreds of thousands of hectares of almonds and only almonds. It's called a monoculture, and for bees, it's a really boring diet. Honey bees are no different to humans. They've got to have a nice, varied and healthy diet and good conditions to live in. Some beekeepers liken the almond pollination to a giant bee bordello where millions of weakened hives exchange mites and viruses, and eventually colonies collapse. We don't want this to happen in NZ, so we're looking very very closely at what we can do to try and protect our bees. Have we seen colony collapse anywhere in NZ yet? We've certainly seen evidence in some high horticultural areas where bees are struggling to survive there long-term. So it certainly points the finger at other environmental issues and human problems that have been forced upon the bees. After the break, bees on the move in NZ. Does that put a lot of stress on the bees? And what about some of the sprays we're using here? As the bees go to them, they are getting poisoned. It starts at dusk. In NZ, just like America, beehives are moved at night by the truckload. But, so far, our beekeepers have avoided colony collapse. We've got 15 vehicles, and we can load up 900 beehives in a night. Neil Mossop heads this family business. Started by his father 67 years ago, it's grown ` they now have 5000 hives. One of my sons will start at 7 o'clock in the evening. He'll get home at 6 in the morning, and he'll work by himself and move 300 beehives. By dawn, the bees find themselves in a new home, doing an important job ` pollinating kiwifruit. But they hate it. The bees would much prefer working bush honey. There's no nectar in kiwifruit. They do loose condition quite rapidly. But Neil says, unlike the US, commercial beekeepers here have got the balance right. To get his bees back in condition, Neil moves them back to the bush after 10 days. < Does that put a lot of stress on the bees? Not really. You know, um, the bees seem to be quite happy. And if his bees are happy, Neil's happy. NZ honey is world-renowned as some of the purest, finest product. We have a waiting list for clients wanting to buy our products. But there's a potential problem. Beekeepers here enjoy a unique product in a closed market, which is why you'll pay $27 for a jar of honey like this. But, because of our free-trade agreements, the pressure is on to allow foreign honey imports. Our beekeepers say that would be crazy. There's the biosecurity risk of bringing in bee diseases, unwanted organisms, with that honey or bee products. There's a worry that foreign honey could bring in more bee disease. Especially European foulbrood ` controllable with antibiotics. The last thing we want to do is use any sort of antibiotics. If we were to go down that line, it'll be the end of our manuka industry as we know it. That's because manuka honey contains a unique, natural antibiotic ` one of the reasons for its premium price. Do you think the government is hearing what you're saying about the dangers to beekeeping and bees? No, I don't think the government's listening to us at all. Why risk it? Why risk it? Why go there? Beekeepers want more protection for their bees ` against varroa, to keep out diseases, and against insecticides called neonicitinoids. Are those sprays already being used in NZ? > Are those sprays already being used in NZ? > Yes, they are. And not only are they being used commercially, but many of the... small insecticides that you can buy from your supermarket and use on your tomatoes and your roses have very toxic chemicals in those. Overseas research suggests that even tiny amounts of neonicitinoids can weaken hives. These things are breaking down the bees' resistance. Their nervous systems are breaking down. They can't go out and forage. They can't find their way back to their hives. But no research has been done on the effects neonicitinoids are having on our honey bees. The only question we ask is does it kill the bee or doesn't it? And we generally don't go further than that. Why not be cautious and err on the side of safety? I'm glad that's not my decision, but these products actually have uses as well. So there's people who depend on them for production. So, how much of this insecticide is too much for bees? Well, the European Union believes very little. It's introduced a limited ban on neonicitinoids. But so far our government has taken no action. Not all insecticides contain neonicitinoids. But two major NZ retailers ` The Warehouse and Place Makers ` have withdrawn from their shelves those products that do. They've done this because of the potential of neonicitinoids to damage bees. They're actually building up in the soil, they're building up in those plants, so that as the bees go to them, they are getting poisoned. Lots of beautiful, golden bees there. With all the wild honey bees now gone, more human-run hives are popping up ` some in unlikely places, like these hives high on Auckland's Town Hall. We would have, probably, about 20,000 bees in here at this stage. And they will be flying to some of our local parks. City bees, it seems, aren't exposed to as many agrichemicals, and here they're pumping. There'll be 50 jars again. Bees make our honey. They pollinate at least a third of the food we eat. We need to look after them. I don't believe that NZ as a whole realises the importance of bees. They think it's just about a pot of honey, but it's so much more. Our world would be a very different place without bees. We want to be known as the land of milk and honey. We have a fantastic reputation. Let's not blow it apart. The companies that make neonicitinoids say if their products are applied correctly, they shouldn't be a danger to bees. They're challenging the European Union restrictions in court. Meanwhile, our Environmental Protection Agency says NZ prohibits use of neonicitinoids in areas where bees are foraging and on plants or trees in flower. The Ministry for Primary Industries says imports of honey from Australia, where European foulbrood is widespread, are under review. Well, up next, Colin and Nicole ` married in the movies; great mates in real life. At the Railway Man premiere ` you know, very important film ` you just hear, 'I love you, Colin!' That was before the film, though. I think that was before. 'I love you, Colin!' BOTH CHUCKLE I feel like I shouldn't be here at this point. Welcome back. He's tall, dark and handsome ` Mr Darcy, otherwise known as Colin Firth. In his latest film, he's an ex-prisoner of war who confronts his former Japanese jailer. Starring alongside is Nicole Kidman. She's his wife on screen and great friend off. Rahni Sadler with their movie and mateship. I haven't seen her yet... We met Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman in Toronto, promoting their extraordinary new film, The Railway Man. I don't think there's a story like it, uh, anywhere in the world. Based on a true story, the pair play a couple who meet and find love late in life. How good do you think that is ` when you're a little bit more mature, to find the love of your life? It's nice. (CHUCKLES) Husband and wife on screen; off screen, a genuine friendship has developed. Of course, Nicole isn't the first woman to fall for the charms of Mr Firth. CHUCKLES: At the Railway Man premiere ` you know, a very important film ` you just hear, 'I love you, Colin!' Yeah, that was before the film, though. I think that was before. Yeah, that was before the film, though. I think that was before. 'I love you, Colin!' BOTH CHUCKLE I've never been to the Highlands before. So, suddenly, um... well, finding myself single again, so to speak, I, um, thought I'd like to see them. What do you think? The west coast is extraordinarily beautiful. You might well fall in love with it. And if I were to fall in love? What then? Nicole, in this film, Patty Lomax finds happiness. Are you happier than you've ever been? Me? Uh, I mean... The word happiness gets bandied around. I mean, am I... Yeah. Am I at a place in my life where I'm very at ease? Yeah, absolutely. In England and Australia, Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman are rightly lauded as two of the best in the business. Already there's Oscar buzz about this film ` familiar territory for Nicole, who won in 2003 for The Hours; and Colin, who won eight years later for The King's Speech. I'm not... here to discuss personal matters. Why are you here, then? Why are you here, then? Because I bloody well stammer! Ironically, after winning for a speech, it was making his acceptance speech that scared him rigid. Um... I have a feeling my career's just peaked. Um... I have a feeling my career's just peaked. Um... LAUGHTER There was a poll that put public speaking, uh, higher than death in the things that people fear most. And... And actually Jerry Seinfeld commented on that and said that means that if you're at a funeral, most people would rather be in the box than giving the eulogy. most people would rather be in the box than giving the eulogy. ALL LAUGH And the Oscar goes to... Nicole Kidman. I was just, like, 'Please let me remember everybody I need to remember.' Which is a bit of a bummer, actually, cos it's, um... it creates even more nervousness. Maybe the thank yous should be banned. Maybe the thank yous should be banned. BOTH CHUCKLE There'd be no pressure on the recipient, and goodness knows the audience would love it. Yeah. Mr Darcy has boasted to me himself of his resentful` Mr Darcy has boasted to me himself of his resentful` Lizzie. Women swooned over the repressed hero steaming up the screen, like his memorable dip in the lake after a hot day in the saddle. Is it true you were supposed to do the Pride and Prejudice scene in the nude? Yes. Yes. What show is this? The` The BBC don't tend to go for that at prime time, you know, so it wasn't feasible. They thought, 'Well, all right, underwear.' And I thought... (SCOFFS) 'This moment of passion and spontaneity, I'll get down to my Y-fronts!' Uh, and Y-fronts were not worn, apparently, in 1802 on whenever. What did they wear? Nothing. Nothing. Oh. Nothing. Oh. No. They` They did things with their shirt tails. with their shirt tails. What do you call that? Commando? No. What is it? Yeah, is that commando? Yeah, is that commando? Is that commando? Yeah, is that commando? Is that commando? Commando, yeah. Blowing in the breeze. I don't know. < At the cricket, when you run across... This is a very high-brow interview. This is a very high-brow interview. It is. This is a very high-brow interview. It is. < Very high-brow. No, an alternative had to be sought out. No, so I just thought, 'All right, spontaneity ` 'if you can't just strip off, then dive in fully clothed.' In Bridget Jones's Diary, he reprised the role of a somewhat more modern Mr Darcy. BRIDGET: Maybe this was the mysterious Mr Right I've been waiting my whole life to meet. You remember Bridget? Maybe not. It's her ` the sparkling diamond. Around the same time, Nicole was doing Moulin Rouge. # Diamonds. # Diamonds. # Not to be outdone, Colin warmed up his tonsils in Mamma Mia. # I can still recall # our last summer. < You've both had to do some singing in your time. How terrifying was it? < And, Colin, is it true your wife nearly left you cos you practised so much around the house? Yeah, my whole family. You know, I think they would have been forgiven for moving out. (CHUCKLES) No, I think there's a case` there would have been a case for, you know, being quarantined because of the... you know, a period of contagion. You know... because of the... you know, a period of contagion. You know... (LAUGHS) # Laughing in the rain. # It's very exposing. It's very exposing. Yeah, I find it... very vulnerable. Has Keith ever cast an opinion on your singing? Um... Yeah, he doesn't really, kind of... bring me to the forefront. Put it that way. ALL CHUCKLE He doesn't encourage you to sing? No, he` Yeah, well... I mean... he's... I sit in the back. I'm fine. I'm better to listen. I` You know, I married an Italian. I used to cook all the time, and... I` You know, I married an Italian. I used to cook all the time, and... And now it's... What you're saying reminds me of my relationship with cooking. I think I did fine, but I'm out of my league now. but I'm out of my league now. Yeah, it's... I heard it was a bit like Love Actually ` you know, you had to woo the family. Yeah, I had to learn a whole language to get there. < And they didn't believe you were a heart-throb? < And they didn't believe you were a heart-throb? No. No, they were utterly bewildered. No, they were utterly bewildered. (SNIGGERS) Italians. Yeah, well, because I play a repressed character. And they were, like, 'Why is repression sexy?' It doesn't seem to play very much in their country. They were saying, 'If this character's sexy, 'do you also, English people, find John Major sexy? Prince Phillip? People like that?' # There may come a time # when a # lass needs a lawyer. # But diamonds are a girl's best friend. # For two of today's most successful film stars, they're surprisingly disarming and easy-going. Both have reached heights others can only dream of, despite what some would joke is a crippling handicap. I read the other day that I had ginger hair. Um... Yes... No. No. I didn't know. I mean, I don't know. It might be true. I didn't know. I mean, I don't know. It might be true. What we call a ranga. You're not a ranga. You're not a ranga. (CHUCKLES) Really? < Colin's not a ranga. < Colin's not a ranga. I don't mind. I rather like ginger hair. Oh, thank you, cos I have ginger hair. Do you have ginger hair? Do you have ginger hair? Yeah. This is sort of ginger. No, I like ginger hair. No, I like ginger hair. I'm naturally ginger. Are you? Oh. Well, there you go. Testament to the beauty of ginger. That's why I know you get called a ranga. Really? Really? Yes. At school you get called a ranga. Really? That must be Australian, is it? Really? That must be Australian, is it? Very Australian. You know it. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. After orang-utan. < Yeah, after orang-utan. That's a beautiful colour. Let me just say that. That's a beautiful colour. Let me just say that. Thank you. Yes, it is a beautiful colour. Well, last week our story on loneliness featured the mysterious Mac ` a man who died alone in his hotel room, seemingly without friends or family in his life. Well, many of you have been in touch, and it seems there was much more to Mac than we knew. His name was Campbell McInnes. He was a schoolteacher, mentor and inspiration to many of his pupils. Some want to pay tribute to the man they knew, so we'll have a follow-up story in the next few weeks. Well, that's our show for tonight. Join us on Facebook ` Sunday TVNZ. And thanks for joining us tonight.