The Buzzy Bee is a traditional Kiwi toy. All generations of Kiwis love the Buzzy Bee, and it is very popular with tourists as well!

This wooden bee, in bright yellow, red and blue, has rotating wings and makes a clicking noise when you pull it along. The sound reminds people a lot of the buzzing sound a bee makes, which is probably how it got its name. It was first made out of old furniture pieces when there weren’t so many toys around. The original Buzzy Bee was a toy for children in their first year of life. Since then it has become a symbol of New Zealand, however, and you can find its smiling face on many different objects, such as T-shirts and mugs.

The toy reminds proud New Zealanders of their carefree days when life was buzzy and busy with games. I love it because it reminds me of the summers I spent at my grandparents’ house eating ice-cream, running around with their dog Zoey, and playing with my mum’s old Buzzy Bee toy.

A Words, words, words

A1 Listen and repeat.

A1 Listen and repeat.

A2 Use: buzzy, busy, rotating or clickable.

A2 Use: buzzy, busy, rotating or clickable.

B Reading and listening

B1 Read and listen.

B2 Choose the correct option.

B2 Choose the correct option.

B2 Choose the correct option.

Lesson 4: A Buzzy Bee for a Busy Bee

A Words, words, words

A1 Listen and repeat.

B Reading and listening