5000 bees to be introduced to Auckland City parks

Business ratepayers in central Auckland are funding an art project to make the SuperCity an international safe haven for bees.

It's funding the "For the Love of Bees" campaign, which will introduce colonies of 5000 bees to Victoria and Myers Parks for about two years.

The campaign will get people and groups to collaborate to turn Auckland into the world's safest place for bees.

Campaign spokeswoman Sarah Smuts-Kennedy told Larry Williams it will be funded by the targeted rate which central city businesses pay to get more people into the CBD.

She said it's one of several initiatives in place to encourage people to come into the central city during a period of busy construction.