The Buzzy Bee is a popular toy in New Zealand. It resembles a bee with rotating wings that move and make a clicking noise while the toy is pulled along the ground. Possibly based on an earlier American concept,[1] it was designed and first produced in Newton, Auckland in the 1930s, by Maurice Schlesinger.[2][3] It became popular during the post-warbaby boom. Its bright colours and clicking sound call are familiar to many New Zealanders, making it one of the most well-recognised items of Kiwiana. Since this time however, the Buzzy Bee has branched out into various merchandise including books, puzzle and clothing.
In June 2007, plans were unveiled for a Buzzy Bee stage show "Buzzy Bee's Big Day Out". The company behind the show also revealed that they had made an animated show reel and were finalising details of a distribution deal, and that they hoped to begin work on an animated series for television.[4]
An animated TV show, Buzzy Bee and Friends, premiered on TV2 in 2009.[5] 52 episodes were produced.[6]
^"TV Show". Buzzy Bee and friends. Lion Rock Ventures. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
^Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 66. ISBN9781476672939.