The story of Buzzy Bee begins in the 1940s, during a period when wooden toys were becoming increasingly popular due to material shortages during World War II. Although exact origins are hard to trace, the most widely credited creators are Maurice Schlesinger and Hec Ramsey, who worked for Playcraft, a small New Zealand toy company. Inspired by the need for robust, engaging and locally made toys, Buzzy Bee was born.

What set the Buzzy Bee apart was not just its design but its sound and movement. It proved to be a perfect combination of simplicity and interactivity that appealed to toddlers. In an era before plastic mass production took over the toy industry, the wooden Buzzy Bee was handmade with care.

The toy became a staple in New Zealand homes throughout the 1950s and 60s, and was often passed down through generations. Its reputation leapt from beloved local product to national icon in 1983, when the Prince and Princess of Wales visited New Zealand with baby Prince William. During a public event in Auckland, the young prince was filmed playing with a Buzzy Bee. The media coverage gave the toy a massive international spotlight. It was never officially endorsed by the Royal Family, but the brief footage of Prince William tugging the bee along a lawn was enough to immortalise it in New Zealand popular culture.

Controversially, the makers of The Crown, historical drama TV series about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, rewrote history for the 2020 season by relocating this iconic scene from New Zealand to (shock, horror) a New South Wales farm in the Australian outback … somewhat akin to Australia claiming the pavlova as its own.

Over the decades, ownership of the Buzzy Bee brand has changed hands multiple times, leading to a few legal wrangles about licensing and intellectual property. Despite that, the toy’s popularity has endured. It has inspired books, cartoons, postage stamps and even merchandise lines. It has become a nostalgic gift for expat New Zealanders and a common presence in early childhood centres across the country.

As an iconic New Zealand symbol, the Buzzy Bee caricature was used on the keel of NZL84, one of Emirates Team New Zealand's entrant yachts for the America's Cup held in Valencia, Spain, in 2007.

An animated TV show, Buzzy Bee and Friends, premiered on TV2 in 2009.Fifty two episodes were produced.

Today, Buzzy Bee remains a beloved piece of New Zealand heritage aka “Kiwiana”. The beloved toy is often presented by New Zealand dignitaries to VIP's with children who are visiting New Zealand.
__________________________

References

wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzzy_Bee
buzzybeetv.com/about-buzzy-bee-and-friends/history
thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/10-11-2020/breaking-the-crown-has-disrespected-a-national-treasure
stuff.co.nz/national/114042000/all-the-things-you-never-knew-about-new-zealands-great-buzzy-bee
collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/1289772

Images

1. Buzzy Bee
2. Map of New Zealand, home of Buzzy Bee
3. Buzzy Bee circa 1943, Auckland, by H.E. Ramsey Limited, Maurice Schlesinger. Gift of Judith Clearwater on behalf of Robin Clearwater, 2012. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Te Papa (GH022590)
4. Prince William crawls for the first time and plays with Buzzy Bee, 1983
5. The Crown moves this special moment from New Zealand to the Australian outback
6. A Buzzy Bee sculpture opposite the parliamentary building (the beehive) in Wellington, New Zealand
7. Buzzy Bee float at the Dunedin Santa Parade, 2024. Photo credit: DrThneed
8. A children's ride shaped like a Buzzy Bee in Warkworth, New Zealand. Photo credit: DO'Neil
9. Buzzy Bee stamp
10. Buzzy Bee inspires the NZL 84 Emirates Team New Zealand keel paint job Credit: Emirates Team New Zealand
11. Buzzy Bee poster at REMO store in Bondi, 2009