Mr Dodds and his wife Karen sell the hives from Dunedin and one of the reasons for creating an alternative was the struggle some beekeepers had sourcing good quality timber.
The sheet metal hives provided a high-quality alternative, which was comparable in size to the standard wooden hives, allowing for mix and match, Mr Dodds said.
''They can be steam-cleaned, sanitised and re-used, saving money and reducing downtime.''
Extensive testing had also been undertaken on the hives in Queenstown, which proved they could handle the extreme difference in temperatures from the hot summers through to the cold winters.
''They've been down to about minus eight right up in to the 30s,'' Mr Dodds said.
The Innovation Hives helped ensure long-term survival of hives and were strong and sturdy.
One of the hive's most quirky factors, was the option of personalised designs.
Mr Dodds was thrilled to be recognised for the design of his hives in the awards.
More information on the hives was available at www.innovationhives.co.nz.
