Buzzy Bee as a property has lasted for over 70 years.

At Lion Rock we were particularly curious as to why it has become such an enduring brand to New Zealanders (and overseas).

It would seem that there are three key attributes that have ensured Buzzy Bee’s success over so many generations.

Without question the original toy has a wonderful mix of colour, sound and movement.
The combination of its vibrant colours and striking visual appearance make for a strong and unique looking toy.

The presence of the clicking sound when pulled and whirring sound as the wings spin is a source of great curiosity and enjoyment for children. And lastly the movement of the wings spinning, antennae quivering and wheels rotating makes this iconic toy irresistible to children.

Being constructed from wood and many ‘natural’ materials, Buzzy Bee represents many of those traditional values from times gone by.

Wood has a permanence and durability that plastic will never have.

Many Buzzy Bee's have lasted across generations. Parents will often put the Buzzy Bee that they played with as a toddler into their own children’s toy basket. This endurance is a hallmark of the quality of the toys.

Built to last is a phrase rarely heard in the manufacture of children’s toys these days and yet it is one of the most vital elements to the success of Buzzy Bee.

In overall terms the toy itself is cute and an attractive play thing.

We have tested this many times and watched children time and again seek out Buzzy Bee from a basket of toys as the first they choose to play with.

When we commenced the creative workshops for Buzzy Bee & Friends we spent a long time working through the key attributes listed above to ensure that we continued, and hopefully enhanced, these special traits.

We have aspired to create a property that incorporates the best qualities from times gone by with the important children’s developmental philosophies of today.

In a world seemingly getting faster and faster, where everything has to deliver more for less, we have set out, in our TV show, to slow things down a little, to be more patient.

Every episode we create asks the central question…will this be a fun show for children to watch? Is it visually exciting? Is there enough action? Is it a plot outline appealing to them (and not an educational lecturer in higher children’s education)?

With total respect to children, we are not trying to sneak them subliminal school classes via television.
We think they can see that coming in any event.

By being fun first does not mean however that the story material is not un-beneficial to our audience.

Each story addresses the social and emotional challenges of little children’s lives and we cover a wide array of topics.

The following list outlines the episode topics and the learning outcomes associated with each episode.

It is the day of the annual Rolling Down’s great race. Oscar would dearly love to win and with Buzzy’s encouragement, he is out in front with one hill to climb…

Oscar, with Buzzy's support, learns not to give up and to believe in himself.

Oscar sees the ducklings painting and would love to do painting himself. Buzzy suggests his library may need painting, but what colour will he paint it. Why don’t you ask around Oscar, suggest Buzzy but it seems everyone has an opinion…

Buzzy cleverly shows Oscar how to resolve the situation where everyone wants different things. Oscar finally learns to make choices from a range of suggestions.

Mary Lou decides to have a big clean-up – everyone throws their rubbish into Driver Don's truck but what a minute… What’s that in the back of his truck… That looks useful…

Mary Lou learns the value of chattels to different people. So that while one person may not value a particular thing another person may well.

Oscar wants to play soccer but Buzzy is too busy trying to fix his radio to play until something gets away on him…

Buzzy learns the lesson of responsibility as he didn’t look after Oscar's ball even though he said he would.

Driver Don is shifting the town’s bench seat when suddenly it rains…Rolling Down’s rain of colourful balls. But wait a minute, it seems to be starting a flood, isn’t there a plug in Rolling Down’s, now where was it?

Driver Don learns that by working together or in a team we can overcome bigger challenges than we could overcome by ourselves. Our pre-schoolers learn that other people can help solve your problems.

Oscar arrives too late to help fix the bridge. He laments how slow he is compared to those who have wheels, wouldn’t wheels be more fun?

With Buzzy's guidance Oscar realizes that staying as he is, a walker, and not trying to be a wheeler is the right decision for him. Our pre-schoolers learn that different people have different strengths.

Mary Lou is busy but no one knows what she is doing… Except Oscar?

The cast of Rolling Downs learn that things may not be what they seem as Oscar aptly demonstrates by using the junk pile as his dress up costume.

The Buzzy City Rollers are playing a concert at the Band Rotunda – Elle thinks they are so brave to sing in public…but then lead singer, Mary Lou loses her voice…

Elle, with the help and support of the other characters in Rolling Downs learns how to overcome her fear of public performance.

Driver Don loses his wheel; Oscar finds it, but no one’s listening to Oscar…

The cast of Rolling Downs learn that it is best not to ignore someone as they just might have the answer you are looking for.

Everyone is by themselves except the ducklings who are playing some lovely games together. When Buzzy asks Dorable to tell him some games she loses her voice – and then loses her ducklings…. How will we find those playful ducklings?

With Buzzy's help everyone realizes that games can be a great way to solve problems.

Oscar decides to do away with the uphill’s in Rolling Downs much to the chagrin of his friends.

Oscar learns that some things (up hills) are not as bad as he thinks and are actually not so bad at all.

Trikey hasn’t any mail to deliver today so he thinks up a neat idea to generate lots of mail, much to the confusion of his friends but can they solve the puzzle...

Trikey finds a positive way of resolving his lack of mail. The cast of Rolling Downs work together to solve the puzzle (literally and figuratively) of the mysterious cards they have received that day.

Its roll and shake day in Rolling Downs – Mary Lou and Trikey Tom have chosen to do a song and dance at morning tea – but they can’t seem to do it together.

Trikey Tom and Mary Lou learn to understand the physical differences between them and by sharing and taking turns they can achieve their mutual goal together.

We have an array of companies that make and sell Buzzy Bee and friends products.
As parents we understand and expect you to have questions with respect to these products.
Questions in regard to their safety, where they are made, what they are made of and what play value each toy possesses.

All our licensed partners are required by us to comply with the strictest product quality standards and with all regulatory and industry standards and tests. We seek licensed partners that;

a) Have a strong history in Quality Control procedures;

b) Actively update their checks on their manufacturing partners.

c) Perform regular audits on their manufacturing partners with respect to manufacturing processes, labour rates of pay and conditions of work. Urban Trends, our licensed partner for toys has recently completed one such audit with their toy manufacturer.

For specific information on the products and their specific make up and construction materials please refer directly to our licensing partners.