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In mid-September, we hosted the South Island Best Practice Days in Ashburton and Cromwell, two great events bringing together fencing contractors, suppliers, and partners from across the country to share ideas, learn from each other, and showcase best practices in the field.

ASHBURTON | 16 Sep 2025

Coming up from Cromwell, I decided to make the most of the trip – catching up with a mate in Geraldine and visiting my parents in Christchurch. I also brought two of our kids, Quinn and Senna, along for the ride.

Monday was set-up day, and with the grandparents on duty, I headed out to our awesome host and FCANZ Patron, Craig “Wiggy” Wiggins’ lifestyle property. Wiggy had been planning this day for a while and was fired up to put on a great event.

Lindsay Hayman from Hayman Fencing had driven the posts and given us a tidy line to work with on the equine fence. With Scott Heasley’s crew, Campbell Heasley and Harry King, on hand to assist, we had the lineup strained, and looking the part. The posts included Future Post plastic posts, with wooden end posts that we painted black to look the part with the Future Posts.

Demonstrations for the day focused on equine fencing, box and angle stay testing, and plenty of discussion around different installation techniques for equine netting.

Lindsay showed how to install an angle stay using the post driver – no chainsaw cuts needed near the ground. Then Campbell Heasley demonstrated a textbook box stay installation. With everyone (including proud dad Scott) watching his every move, he did an excellent job. Campbell recently completed his Level 3 Certificate in Fencing, and it really showed in his demonstration.

Next up was the stay testing. Using pre­driven, lathed Point Lumber strainer posts, and with Nick Terry from Custom Fencing supplying the truck winch and straining scales, we had a great setup. We tested a box stay, an angle stay with a driven stay post, a Waratah AdjustaStay, and to finish, Tom Rathgen from Rathgen Fencing dug in a stay block for comparison.

All the stays stood up really well, with the box stay handling the most pressure. One big takeaway was the importance of selecting the correct strainer post length and getting them driven to the right height. We also discussed the value of properly installed tie downs – a bit like an insurance policy for your stay.

A big shoutout to John ‘Noksee’ Noakes, who was in his element directing the day and sharing his wealth of experience with everyone.

Highlights for me were seeing contractors from all over the country come together, share ideas, and learn from each other. A big thanks to Henry Watson and Josh Isherwood for making the drive to help out the day before.

A big thank you to our partners, including Farmlands, who put on a great lunch for everyone!

CROMWELL | 18 Sep 2025

Once we’d cleaned up in Ashburton and our partners had packed up their gear, we said our goodbyes, and I shot back to Christchurch to pick up the kids, staying the night before heading home to Cromwell.

Having a Best Practice Day in our own backyard was pretty exciting. We spoke with one of our awesome clients, Jason Sutherland, who manages Tinwald Farm, and he was more than happy to help. There were a few possible sites on the farm, but we ended up choosing a camping area we’d fenced over the years, which was a perfect spot for demonstrations.

While I was driving back from Tuesday’s event, Noah Jaunay and Dion Robertson from Precise Fencing were busy getting things ready, driving posts and straining up the fences for Thursday’s demonstration.

The planned demonstrations included Pest Control Solutions, which showcased a completed wallaby fence using Summit Steel’s Hinge Apron Netting, and a rabbit netting fence being strained up. We also lined up some stay assembly testing using load scales and a tractor.

After a very wet day before, waking up to a beautiful bluebird morning couldn’t have been better. We kicked things off by welcoming everyone. It was great to see such a solid turnout, with fencers coming from as far as Kurow and Dunedin. It was awesome to see everyone making the effort to get off their fence lines and come along.

First up, we talked through the wallaby fence install, showing off the tidy work and the different ways of installing this type of fence. Then Noah demonstrated how to install an angle stay using a post driver. This sparked some good discussion about the pros and cons of that method, and we also covered why tie-downs are crucial on end assemblies. Following the stay install, Noah talked us through straining rabbit netting using the newly released net product from Bayonet.
Noah also fielded some great questions about the install.

After lunch, put on by Farmlands Cromwell, we heard from some of our fantastic partners, who shared product updates and demonstrated new releases. Then it was time for the stay testing, using a tractor, chain, and scales. Thanks to Brendon from Waratah for contributing the Adjusta Stay assembly to be tested in this environment, as well as Andy from Point Lumber for showing off his lathed strainer posts, which held up extremely well.

Here are the results we recorded in those ground conditions:

• Box Stay (3 HT wires): 3.4T
• Breast Block: 1.9T
• Angle Stay with driven stay butt post: 3.9T
• Tie-back (4mm wire): 3.0T (wire broke)
• Waratah AdjustaStay: 2.5T
• Waratah Maxi Double Tie-back (4mm wire): 1.5T

 

A massive shoutout to all our partners who travelled from far and wide to be there. After organising these days, I’ve gained a new appreciation for what goes into making them happen, so big thanks to the previous FCANZ board members and contractors who’ve done the hard yards in the past. Thanks also to Noah, Dion, and the Precise Fencing team, who helped a lot with getting the day ready, and to fellow FCANZ board member Scott Heasley for making the trip down to share his experiences. A huge thank you again to Noksee, who came a long way to MC the day and share his knowledge and experience, which is always great value.

The next Best Practice Days will be held in Autumn and Spring next year, and we’re already working with local contractors to plan them. Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and some new ones next time around!

Written by Ruben Connelly

Published in WIRED issue 79/December 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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“I had a chat with Luke today,” Shaun blurted out during a quick phone call. “Oh, really?” I replied, almost holding my breath for what the outcome of that chat was. Shaun had been stewing on an issue with one of our main clients for a while.

“Yeah, it was big, and I had a knot in my stomach,” he added.

Oh. Shit.

“Okay, um, how did it end? Is everything all good?” I tentatively asked. Please. Please, on my knees, please let it be all good. Now’s not the time for us to lose a big and reliable client.

“It was all good. I’ll tell you about it tonight,” he replied, and hung up.

Oh man, I hate being left hanging. Mainly because in my mind I go over different scenarios that could have happened, what might have been said, what Shaun should have said, or more to the point – what he shouldn’t have said. I assume things. I make up a story and think about it so much that a story becomes – real.

Here’s the thing. We all do this. And we do this with absolutely everything, all the time. We just don’t realise we do. We create assumptions in the form of stories for how we view our world. These stories are influenced by things like how we were raised, what we saw other people doing and saying, the community and culture and country we live in, what we read, what we watch. Absolutely everything you’ve experienced and taken on as the ‘right’ way or ‘wrong way’ constructs your stories.

*Insert fancy word for this: Social Constructionism. Eyes glaze. Yawn. But I’m going to keep going because the end of this story is important.

Think about these stories:

• We’re not making any money because we’re not working hard enough.
• I deserve a break because I’ve worked hard.
• Men don’t cry.

The problem with stories is that we get a bit caught up in thinking they are The Truth.

Shaun often says, “There’s three sides to every story: your side, my side and the truth.” But this is not entirely correct. There is often no “one-and-only-truth” at all. Because, like I said, we each create our own truths, therefore they can be uncreated – or shall we say… changed.

Now, the situation with our client Luke is that we have been loyal contractors to them for ten years, and we did a quote for them and lost it to someone else. This is a fact. Yes.

But how Shaun tells that story to himself and others is how he creates the truth of the matter. For example, he could say, “My quote was for better quality materials, so of course I’d miss out on price. He set me up deliberately, so I didn’t win it.” And then Shaun could gather more evidence to support the story of deliberateness: “He did it so his mate would win the quote.” And then decide that “I can’t trust the guy, I’m never doing business with him again.”

This is one story. Created by Shaun. Forming his reality of being shafted.

When Shaun finally got around to finishing his story to me that night, he said he told Luke he was pissed about it and that Luke apologised.

Woah. Unexpected.

Luke said he had no idea what was going on within that department of his business. He also got the new guy who had accepted the quote to apologise too.

This was a whole different story.

What’s important is knowing that we are choosing the stories to create, to believe, to tell, and retell. This is important because it relates to how we then decide to act on things, e.g. stew on the matter and forever have beef with Luke or find out a different story, accept the apology, let go and move on.

So, before you go getting a knot in your stomach too, remember that the story is just your story. What if there’s another one? A better one.

Written by Angelena Davies

Angelena Davies is a wife and mum who happens to have a Masters degree in Social Sciences. Alongside running Davies Fencing she is also a coach, facilitator and author helping children and adults to access “flow” so their lives are easier and more fun.

Published in WIRED issue 78/September 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: Life between the fence posts

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FCANZ’s youngest member, Geraldine-based Tom Batty, has shown that you’re never too young to get started, setting up his own fencing contracting business while also finishing high school.

The 18-year-old fencing competition champion started out completing fencing jobs for a few locals last year while still a full-time student at Geraldine High School. He now has around 15 clients, carrying out smaller fencing jobs that aren’t big enough to call in the larger contractors.

With his school journey coming to an end this month, he hopes to broaden his skills in the agricultural field, working on the family farm – a runoff with beef cattle and some cropping – while continuing to operate his fencing business. This summer, he will get out driving the big machines for the cropping season.

Next year, he will begin a Diploma in Agriculture at Lincoln University.

While still at school full-time, Tom managed to complete around a day’s worth of work on the fenceline per week, working after school and in the evenings using the family tractor and post-driver.

He discovered fencing through the school’s Primary Industry Academy (PIA) in Year 11– and he hasn’t stopped since.

What he enjoys about the work is the satisfaction of visually seeing what you have produced.

“I really like being able to see the finished product and knowing it’s going to be there for years to come.”

A year ago, he saw a business opportunity when family friends in the district started calling on him to get small fence jobs built, and he has now completed a number of fencing jobs around the district.

While organising posts from local timber company Point Lumber one day, he was convinced to join FCANZ to take advantage of the generous discount.

It turned out to be a great move, he says.

“I have learnt heaps from becoming an FCANZ member and meeting other contractors who have given me tips and the confidence to do jobs on my own.

“The practice days are really helpful – you learn a lot there, (and) I make the most of my FCANZ membership discount, which has also been helpful.”

While managing to keep up with his schoolwork and run his business, Tom also found time to compete – and win – at fencing competitions.

In March this year, he and fellow PIA student Cullen Bolt won the South Island Fencing Championships held at the Southern Field Days at Kirwee. The pair came first, narrowly beating another Geraldine High School team.

They went on to compete at the Fieldays Silver Staples pairs competition as the only school team, taking out the competition that is typically dominated by cadets from Smedley and Pukemiro stations.

“It was pretty good. We didn’t really expect it.”

Leading up to the competition, the students created a competition area, backfilling competition lines with sand to mimic ground conditions at Mystery Creek.

They practised in the dark with the truck headlights on two or three times a week, as it was the only time they had available.

“(We did) lots of lunch times and after school sessions to practice for competitions,” Tom says.

At the same time, he helped out at the academy, helping other students to improve their fencing skills.

In starting out in contracting, he has had to get his head around the logistics of managing gear and materials, and has built up good relationships with local suppliers, including Timaru-based Point Lumber.

“Andy from Point Lumber has been really helpful, and I have learnt heaps from him in terms of using quality materials.

“Plus, I have recycled the used competition posts from school as they come spare to use at home.”

To keep on top of bookwork, he has enlisted the support of his parents, which, with just a handful of locals as clients so far, is not too much work.

“At the moment, Mum and Dad help me with this, and I’ve really only done jobs for neighbours and farmers I know.”

When he’s not on the fenceline or out on the farm, Tom enjoys volunteering for the academy, sharing his fencing skills with other students. After work and on the weekends, he enjoys going out hunting with mates.

He says he might look at expanding his fencing business in the future, but for now, he wants to gain a broad experience in agriculture.

“I’m probably more interested in doing a bit of both.”

Written by Rosa Watson

 

Published in WIRED issue 78/September 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: Boots, wire & gumboot tea

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A week in the life of safety management systems provider Rural Safe

Ever wondered what it’s like to be the person behind the clipboard, the high-vis vest, and the calm voice in a crisis? Welcome to a week in the life of a Safety Management Systems (SMS) provider – where structure meets spontaneity, and every day is a mix of paperwork, paddocks, and people.

Monday

From Waikato to Southland – safety never sleeps
The week kicks off with a site audit in rural Waikato. Boots on, checklist in hand, we’re scanning for hazards and chatting with teams about what’s working – and what’s not. By lunchtime, we’re fielding a call from Southland about a serious harm incident involving a side-by-side (SxS) and a distracted operator. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real. And it matters.

Tuesday

Clients, coffee, and compliance

Client management is our bread and butter. Some are prepping for WorkSafe audits, others are recovering from recent incidents. We guide them through onboarding, tailor assessments, and build safety plans that actually work – not just tick boxes. For our long-term clients, it’s all about keeping things fresh. Safety isn’t a one-and-done deal; it’s a living system.

We once had a client who hadn’t touched their safety folder in over a year. Then came the call: “We’ve got a pre-qual due tomorrow – can you help?” We jumped in, updated their documents, and got them across the line. It was a reminder that safety isn’t just about being ready – it’s about knowing someone’s got your back when you’re not.

Wednesday

Toolbox talks and trust building
Site visits continue. We’re running toolbox talks, reviewing hazard registers, and investigating incidents. But here’s the secret sauce: it’s not just about the paperwork. It’s about people. Building trust, reinforcing safety culture, and being the calm in the storm when things go sideways. We’re part coach, part counsellor, part compliance guru.

One rural client told us, “I don’t do paperwork – I do work.” But after a serious near-miss involving a quad bike, he saw the value in having systems that protect his team. Now he runs monthly toolbox talks and even keeps his hazard register in the ute. It’s not about changing who people are – it’s about showing them why it matters.

Thursday

Lawyers, long roads and long-term support
Not every week is easy. Some days, we’re sitting across from legal counsel, helping clients navigate the aftermath of serious harm incidents. These are the moments when the stakes are high, emotions are raw, and the paperwork is just the beginning.

As advisors, we often act as the bridge between the business and its legal team – translating technical safety language into clear, actionable steps. We help prepare for WorkSafe investigations, support clients through interviews, and ensure documentation is robust and defensible. Some cases stretch over months, even years. We stay with our clients through it all – reviewing systems, updating processes, and embedding lessons learned. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and it’s where our role as trusted advisors really shines.

We’ve had late-night calls from clients dealing with serious harm incidents – scared, unsure, and overwhelmed. One client said, “I didn’t know who else to call.” That’s why we do what we do. We’re not just advisors; we’re a steady hand when things feel out of control.

Friday

The drop-off and the call-back
It’s common for clients to drop off after their initial setup – systems are in place; things feel under control. But then comes the call: “We need help,” or “Can you send through our documents for a pre-qual?” That’s when we remind them: health and safety isn’t just an investment – it’s assurance. We’re here anytime, not just when things go wrong. Being available, responsive, and ready to support is what builds trust and long-term partnerships.

Then the call comes: we’ve had a fatality. Three weeks in a row now of serious harm – and then this. The worst call we get. A mother lost her life in a workplace accident, leaving behind her children. It’s devastating. And it’s a stark reminder of why we do this work.

Saturday

The tough conversations
In some industries, especially smaller or remote ones, health and safety is still seen as a “tick-box” exercise. Convincing a business owner that safety is an investment in their people takes patience, empathy, and a good dose of Kiwi pragmatism. We translate legislation into language that makes sense on the ground. No jargon, just real-world impact.

Sometimes the biggest wins aren’t dramatic. Like when a team member who never spoke up in meetings started leading hazard reviews. That’s culture shift. That’s safety in action.

Sunday

Behind the scenes and supporting the supporters
While the fieldwork gets the spotlight, the engine room hums quietly. Payroll, invoicing, reporting, and updating SMS templates to keep pace with changing legislation. It’s the stuff no one sees – but without it, the whole operation stalls.

This job isn’t just physically demanding – it’s emotionally intense. Handling serious incidents, supporting investigations, and helping teams through trauma takes its toll. That’s why we prioritise our own well-being: flexible hours, regular check-ins, and time off when it’s needed. You can’t lead on safety if your own team’s running on empty.

And always – reset and recharge

Nature, fishing, gardening, kids – whatever helps us reset. Because in a world where urgency is constant, perspective is powerful. We come back Monday (or sometimes Sunday) ready to do it all again.

Safety management isn’t just about compliance – it’s about care. It’s about making sure every worker gets home safe, every business thrives, and every system supports the people it’s built for. It’s demanding, unpredictable, and deeply rewarding. And that’s exactly why we live and love it.

 

Stay safe out there in the workplace.

Written by Debbie Robertson

 

Published in WIRED issue 78/September 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: Life between the fence posts

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© Fencing Contractors Association NZ (FCANZ)

A week in the life of Rural Worx

There’s something about a hard day’s work that just hits different. Maybe it’s the mud on your boots. Maybe it’s the dogs asleep in the tray. Or maybe it’s knowing you did something real, something useful; like building a kilometre of fencing strong enough to hold back a wild bull.

That’s the stuff we live for at Rural Worx, and around here, it’s just another week on the tools.

We’re a young rural contracting business based in the Kapiti-Horowhenua region, owned by us; Richmond and Brooke. We’re a bit of a mismatch on paper: Richie’s an ex-civil engineer who couldn’t stand sitting behind a screen all day. He bought himself a handpiece and started shearing sheep solo, which slowly turned into fixing gates, building fences, and eventually managing full-scale rural projects. Brooke used to be a scuba diving instructor, she now runs her own marketing business, and is also the official Rural Worx smoko runner, office boss, and orphan-lamb-mum in spring.

We do fencing, shearing, and general rural contracting, from lifestyle blocks to stations. But don’t let the fresh branding fool you, we’re old school at heart. No shortcuts, just honest hard work, a good yarn, and jobs done properly.

Monday morning: gumboots on, dogs in, let’s go

Richmond’s up at 6am every morning, first stop: the 380-acre block we manage in Te Horo, where the fences are tight and the lambs are dropping faster than we can count. This block’s been a year-long project, it’s now fully stockproof, with new paddocks going in and the kind of fencing that actually lasts more than one wet winter. After a quick check on the stock, he’s back by 7:30am for a milky gumboot tea and a classic baked beans on toast. By 8am, we’re loading up and heading to site.

Tools of the trade

Our gear keeps us moving. Three trusty Hiluxes (you won’t see a Ford in our fleet) and an even trustier old Cruiser, a quad, a CLAAS tractor, and a Fencequip post rammer. If it’s muddy, remote, or rough terrain, we’re ready. On any given day, we’re running wire for an 8-wire, deer fencing, rigging up electric outriggers, and screwing boards up on post and rail jobs.

But our best tools? The dogs. Sage, Jack, and Twig are our working crew. They ride up front, back us up in the yards, and are partial to a bite of a sausage roll at smoko. Brooke’s got a young border collie pup too, who’s still deciding whether he wants to work or just chase butterflies.

The crew

We’re lucky to have some of the best young fellas in the game. Charlie, 20, and Logan, 23 – both absolute grafters. Charlie’s a fencer through and through. He’s tough, he’s keen, and he’s our guy for a good chat. Logan came from forestry (with a side of semi-pro rugby, we’re hanging out for when he’s an All Black) and reckons fencing’s his true calling. They show up early, don’t whinge in the rain, and we couldn’t do this without them.

The crew runs on a mix of elbow grease, questionable music choices (there’s a shared Spotify playlist, no one owns up to adding Morgan Wallen, but somehow he’s always playing), and the promise of a cold beer at the end of the week.

They also love the social media side. We run a pretty honest Instagram and TikTok account showing the behind-the-scenes of life on the tools. Bit of banter, bit of mud, and a lot of dogs.

The Otaki job: fencing under headlights

Last week, we wrapped up a big 1km post and rail job on the Otaki riverbed. It was a beauty, all hand-built gates, clean lines, and electrics on top to keep the horses where they’re supposed to be. It was one of those weeks where everything clicked. The sun was out, the Milwaukee radio was cranking, and the team was moving like clockwork. We needed to finish before the next job started, so when the sun dipped below the hills, Richmond worked on by headlight and the boys stayed, no questions asked. Finally, the last screw went in, the team clocked off, and the beers were opened.

Saturdays are for shearing

During the shearing season, the week doesn’t end on Friday. On Saturdays, Richmond and Logan load up the old 1988 Land Cruiser, chuck in Sage, and head out to tackle sheep for the day. Sometimes it’s a lifestyle block with 20 sheep. Sometimes it’s a hundred scattered across hills. Either way, we turn up, get stuck in, and leave the place better than we found it.

The hard parts; and why we keep doing it

Fencing’s not for the faint-hearted. It’s muddy, sweaty, frustrating work. You burn through staples, forget how many hits it takes to drive a post on a river bed, and some days your hands feel like they’ve aged ten years.

But it’s also real. It’s tangible. You get to look back at something you built and know it’s going to do its job for years. That’s rare. When we are stripping old fences, we take a moment to think of that poor bugger who spent hours and hours putting those posts in the ground all those years ago.

And then there’s the people. The ones who bring you into their farms, trust you with their stock, offer you a cuppa at smoko. That local loyalty means everything to us.

What we’ve learned

If there’s one thing we’ve learned since starting Rural Worx, it’s that this industry runs on trust, reputation, and the willingness to go the extra mile – literally. We’ve driven through floods, worked in sideways rain, fixed fences with head torches, and helped clients round up loose sheep more than once.

But we wouldn’t change a thing

We’re proud to be part of the rural industry. Proud to be building strong fences for good people. And proud that at the end of each week, boots covered in mud, dogs asleep on the back, music still playing – we get to say: we built that.

Written by Brooke O’Connell

Published in WIRED issue 78/September 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: Family, fences, and the daily hustle

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If the saying, “The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory,” is anything to go by, then this year’s National Fencing Championship winners have a lot to be proud of.

New Zealand Fencing Competitions (NZFC) is the recognised National Sporting Organisation for the sport of competitive agricultural fencing, and these competitions see all age groups compete against each other. You won’t find any Masters, Seniors or Veterans divisions here, no siree.

So, on Monday morning of Fieldays week, when 27 individual competitors and 17 doubles pairs braved the cold, foggy Mystery Creek conditions for the heats to earn themselves a place in the finals, it’s fair to say the competition was going to be tight.

Wednesday saw the Fieldays Silver Staples cadet competition, aimed at developing the skills of emerging fencers from agricultural training institutes and high schools. The competition is equally attended by male and female students, and has earned its place as a vital step in these young fencers’ development. This year saw two teams each from Geraldine High School, Pukemiro Station and Smedley Station, with Thomas Batty & Cullen Bolt from Geraldine High School taking top honours on the day.

Across the hill, Kupu Lloyd, Tom Kerley and Michael Trott, all hailing from Gisborne, South Islander Craig Sinclair, Clevedon fencer Murray Graham, and local Waikato man Sam Burton, were competing in the Bill Schuler final. This event is designed to bring along competitive fencers and provide experience in the tense atmosphere that Fieldays provides – a stepping stone towards the Golden Pliers® by WIREMARK®.

Judges were encouraged by the quality of workmanship and the lift in game compared to previous years’ competitions. One judge was spotted practically skipping with excitement to the judge’s caravan to enter his scores, commenting, “I really enjoyed judging those! It’s very promising – they’ve all done a great job out there. Fencing competitions has a bright future.”

Thursday came too soon for some and not soon enough for others in the Golden Pliers® by WIREMARK® Singles competition. Pressure was on last year’s winner, Tim Garrick, to retain his title. Past champions Tony Bouskill & Tim Stafford were both keen to see if they still had what it took. Long time competitors Jeff Joines and Matt Jones, along with up-and-comer Cory Twigley, were all hungry for a win, and young bucks Shay Robertson and Cameron Hammerton had shown they were big threats capable of a takedown.

Throw in arguably some of the toughest conditions seen to date – cold, persistent heavy rain, an age gap spanning 28 years across the field – and the scene was set for an epic battle. Onlookers speculated if age or youth would prevail.

As the iconic Golden Pliers® by WIREMARK® Singles competition progressed, a couple of things hadn’t gone quite to plan for Matt Jones, who then decided to forfeit aiming for the title and powered through the rest of the fence to be the first to complete the mammoth task in a mere 5hrs 7min. This earned himself the Nick Liefting First Off the Line award, and set the tone for the rest of the competitors – who were now incurring time penalties. Tim Garrick and Tony Bouskill finished within seconds of each other about 15 minutes later, and the other finalists came off steadily afterwards, all trying to balance their quality with the clock.

Day three dawned cool and clear for the Fieldays Silver Spades® Doubles Championship. This was another top-level event of high-calibre fencers, including two international pairs and one South Island duo, making it the largest final to date.

The lads all had their work cut out for them, with Chief Judge Owen Petersen requesting a 36m fence consisting of 6 x 2.5 mm WIREMARK® wires, two being electric, two diagonal stay assemblies, and an angled section of Goldpine® post & rail, including a pedestrian gate to be made & installed with the use of Cyclone nails. The Strainrite claw insulators and plain wires were to be stapled on with a StockAde ST400i gas powered staple gun.

A large crowd of spectators formed as the competition took place. Looking at the amount of work in front of them, most pairs decided early on to split up and tackle effectively half the fence each – with one boring, posting and doing the electrical work, while the other chewed their way through the post and rail section, which required a lot of nutting out and delicate finishing. There was minimal wastage of rails allowed, a wrong measurement or cut meant they wouldn’t be able to complete their fence.

The UK team of John Morgan and Si Gibbs, representatives of the UK Tornado Fencing Competition, and USA pair Ed Struna and Luke Gibson, representatives of the U.S. Platinum Strainer Doubles Championship, all showed remarkable workmanship – on top of having to master new techniques and borrowed tools. Southern lads Thomas Rathgen and Isaac Johnston meant business coming off the back of their win at Kirwee. Shane Bouskill had fresh legs, having not competed the previous day, hoping this would help seal a win with son Tony, while previous finalists Micheal Trott and Kupu Lloyd looked every bit competitive and polished as they settled into the task.

The final was not immune to mishaps, with Tim and Cory snapping the head off their spade whilst trying to make a last-minute adjustment to their stay block, and another competitor snapping their footing wire whilst straining up the foot.

First finished were Tim Garrick and Cory Twigley, looking formidable again this year. Seven and a half minutes later, there was a head-to-head, breakneck race down the hill to the finish line between youngsters Shay Robertson and Cameron Hamerton, and the oldest pair, Jeff Joines and Tim Stafford.

The formal prizegiving function was an opportunity for sponsors Wiremark, Cyclone, Goldpine, Strainrite, Stihl, StockAde, Revolution Postdrivers, FCANZ and Fieldays to each speak and be acknowledged for their considerable support, which is instrumental to the success of such a world-class event. This year, a new sponsorship structure was introduced with NZFC supporters, supported by farming entity Ngakaroro Land Co Ltd.

Special recognition was also made to the judging and admin teams, the sponsorship committee and ground crews for their effort and dedication in what is a very long and intense week for all of these volunteers. MCs Craig Wiggins and Craig Graham were also thanked for their expertise.

This year saw Micheal Trott secure his 2nd Bill Schuler title, with Kupu Lloyd in 2nd, and 3rd placegetter Sam Burton. Best First-Year Entrant went to David Swansson, and Murray Graham was awarded the Best Second-Year Entrant award.

The National Singles championship title and the prestigious Golden Pliers® by WIREMARK® Singles competition were awarded to Tim Stafford on a score of 91.33 points, ahead of runner-up Tim Garrick on 95.79, and Tony Bouskill in 3rd place on 102.63. Stafford also won the Best Quality award (the highest standard of fence, no time consideration). His win came 10 years after his first title, and after a brief hiatus from competitions following shoulder surgery in 2019.

The final award of the evening went to Jeff Joines and Tim Stafford in the Fieldays Silver Spades® Doubles Championship, as the oldest combo in the field, and a relatively new pairing, having only competed together once before. With a score of 99.88 points, they won by a convincing 9.78 points over previous multiple winners Tony Bouskill and Shane Bouskill, with last years’ winners Tim Garrick and Cory Twigley rounding out the podium in 3rd on 138.45 points.

Thanks to the organisation by NZFC, and costs covered by sponsors Fieldays®, Strainrite, Cyclone, Revolution Postdrivers, and FCANZ, Tim and Jeff’s win earned them a place to compete in the U.S. Platinum Strainer Doubles Championship at the East Coast Fencing Rivalry in Virginia, USA.

Comments from our visiting competitors during the evening all echoed the same theme – saying they were struck by how welcomed they were made to feel, likening it to a big family rather than a group of competitors, as everyone was willing to lend tools, tips and banter. They also wished to thank Nick Liefting, Wayne Newdick and the Bouskills for their hospitality and training sessions.

As the week drew to a close, all finalists reflected & celebrated their outcomes, and showed us all that success at this level is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, adapting, and a love of what you do.

And sometimes, age.

Full results, photos and videos on the NZFC Facebook page.

Article by Vanessa Stafford on behalf of NZFC

Photographs reproduced with permission by NZ Fencing Competitions.

Published in WIRED issue 78/September 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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A week in the life of Jones Agri Fencing

Setting up a business in South Waikato has opened a range of opportunities for fencing contractors Cory and Chloe Jones.

The owners of Jones Agri Fencing carry out a wide range of fencing services from fencing up a sheep milking operation and a horse stud farm, to carrying out large contracts with local dairy farms – they are also the preferred contractor in the region for Onefarm steel cattle yards.

The couple started the business three years ago, having moved back to the area from the deep south of Otago.

Cory, originally a builder by trade, had spent three years working for Nick Terry at Custom Fencing, where he got his start in the fencing industry. And once he started, he was hooked. Apart from doing a bit of fencing on the family property, it was all new to him.

“I thought I’d try something new. I started and just didn’t stop.”

He enjoyed the incredible countryside that the work was taking him to around the region.

As they made the move back to the Waikato, the couple saw an opportunity to start their own fencing contracting business.

Cory got started with a Revolution 180 post driver, a John Deere tractor, with his old Ford Courier.

It was a different world of fencing in the Waikato compared to Otago, Cory says.

“I went from high country stations to dairy farms. It completely changed the style of fencing. I’ve gone from a lot of netting, Waratahs and rocks, to soft ground.”

“The big one for me to get my head around was putting posts in at more than five metres.”

He was a one-man band for about a year when things started to get busy, and he needed to take on some staff.

“There were three of us for a while there, and in the last year we’ve got a couple of big contracts.”

Teaming up with Onefarm has also provided a variety of work, and takes the team further afield from home base.

The team grew to four staff, and Cory “took the leap” this year and bought a second tractor and post driver, and a side-by-side.

While working full-time as a regional farm operations manager for Fonterra, Chloe helps out with the future direction, bookwork and keeping on top of health and safety.

A typical week starts on Monday morning down at the yard at 6am, where the team gets prepared for the day ahead and “have a yarn” about what’s happening for the day, Cory says.

“Then usually two of us will get in each Ute and head away for the day and start working on what we need to achieve.”

“I spend a lot of time on the phone organising gear and materials, and then get to work and do the easy part of the job, which is fencing.”

“It’s a good day if I don’t hear too much from Cory,” Chloe adds.

“It could mean our team’s pumping, they’re busy, jobs are going well, and everyone’s just getting stuck into it.”

“It could also mean – things have turned to shit – he’s busy fighting fires, sorting jobs and gear out, talking to clients, gear’s broken down, and I’ll hear about it at the dinner table.“

“It’s pretty tough being at the other end of the phone sometimes – it’s ‘I’m doing fine but I need to vent – this has gone wrong’; ‘this gear’s just broken and will cost us $3,000 to fix’; ‘we need these new items – have we got the money in cashflow’; or it could be a win of, “Hey, we have a new client coming on and this is going to be awesome, I can’t wait.”

“There are days where Cory is trying to quote or invoice, and I hear yelling at the computer. I’d consider (this) normal from people in our sectors that have strengths more so in ‘doing the do’ with tools, and where technology challenges them outside their comfort zone. I’m sure many other fencers can empathise with that.”

Cory finds that putting out fires makes up a large part of the job of running a contracting business.

“I spend more time putting out fires than getting on the tools.”

Cashflow is challenging to manage, Chloe says.

“Having money coming in doesn’t mean you have enough cash to pay what you need to, and that’s been a huge learning curve for us since getting stuck in.”

“It was extremely scary to take that first step of starting a business, and I know Cory was quite uncertain. Doing some simple cashflow and talking with our accountant, bank, previous employer and families that have started businesses has helped a lot, and put a lot of the questions to rest with answers.”

One thing making life easier currently was being able to order material by the unit load for the specific job, Cory says.

“I’d normally be running around doing jobs, but at the moment, it’s pretty easy.”

“The way we do it, I just put (materials) straight through the client’s accounts. I just found it was easier to manage.”

He likes to organise materials a month out from starting a job where possible.

“It just means if there’s a delay or a product is not available, we can make sure we’ve still got time.”

It is fortunate that Cory has timber supplier, Roundwood, just up the road, with whom he’s built a strong relationship.

“We get most of our gear relatively quickly.”

Finding staff is a challenging side of running the business, he says. But he currently has a good team working together.

“I’m pretty lucky at the moment with who I’ve got.”

Two staff are studying towards their Level 3 Certificate in Fencing. Cory himself is a certified fencer through FCANZ.

He takes on students through the local high school Gateway programme once a week to give them an opportunity to experience fencing.

“It gives kids the opportunity to see that fencing can be a career, not just a job.”

Cory has engaged Rural Safe to help with with health and safety management, and the team holds a health and safety meeting once a month. He cooks breakfast and the team chats about how things have gone, what needs repairs and maintenance, or any near misses or incidents.

“We are trying to make a habit of this,” Chloe says.

“Making health and safety not being a bad thing to discuss, but more of a what can we change to make sure we are all getting home safely. It’s a bit of a culture shift, but we will keep chipping away at it; all good things take time. Getting the team comfortable with talking about it and topics within it is what we are aiming for.

Cory says the investment in Rural Safe was a worthwhile one.

“At the end of the day, we are all busy and keeping up with it all is pretty hard.”

Chloe has created a QR Code for the team to use to log things like upcoming vehicle services, which then sends an email to the office.

“It just saves paperwork getting dirty in the Ute,” Cory says.

Chloe says they operate the business on some simple fundamentals – buying gear that makes their lives and employees’ lives easy.

“So they can do their job well and go home safe, creating a good culture for the team so they enjoy what they do and keep coming to work. That’s a win for us and a win for them.”

They also make sure they celebrate the wins.

“If we have had a great month, (we plan) the next fishing trip with the lads so we can say thanks for your hard work.”

“And most importantly, is doing the job well and creating the best quality product we can for our clients to have a great result with a product that is around for years to come.”

Despite the challenges, it is hugely rewarding work, Chloe says.

“It’s neat to reflect on the good parts of owning a business too. And that needn’t be forgotten in those tough times, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Outside of the business, Cory and Chloe are members of the local squash club and enjoy life on their 1.6-hectare lifestyle block outside of Tokoroa.

Cory likes to get out hunting and fishing where he can.

“Any chance I can get out there, chasing animals or jumping on a boat.”

Article by Rosa Watson

Published in WIRED issue 78/September 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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A week in the life of Nick Terry, Custom Fencing Owner/Operator and Shareholder, Custom Construction

Getting the day started

My alarm usually goes off around 5am. If all’s quiet in the house, I’ll get in a solid hour or so in the office before the kids are up and about. That’s the ideal scenario – but with young kids, it doesn’t always play out like that. If I’ve been up during the night with them, that early start doesn’t always happen.

Business as usual

I run Custom Fencing, and I’m a shareholder in Custom Construction. Like most contractors with a few staff, every day is different, and no two weeks ever really look the same. A fair chunk of my week is spent quoting new jobs, sorting crews, and checking in on progress across our sites. I’ve learned over the years that if I don’t write something down in my calendar, it just won’t happen – it goes in one ear and straight out the other. So the phone calendar is sacred.

Last week gives a pretty good snapshot of what life looks like at the moment. I was pricing up a job in Mosgiel, which is about a 45-minute drive from home. I try not to waste a trip out that way – so I tied that in with some work we had going at HeliOtago, where we were installing and commissioning a new electric gate. That job ended up taking up a good half of the week.

Midweek was also month-end, which meant I was back in the office sorting invoices and sending them out. Paperwork might not be glamorous, but it’s got to be done. I’ve been in business since 2011 – I kicked things off as a one-man band at the age of 26. Back then, it was just me, my ute, and my tools. Things have grown a fair bit since, but the hands-on stuff, including quoting and admin, still comes back to me. I would love to employ someone to do the bookwork, but by the time I have spent 20 minutes discussing the pricing of a job, I could have just done the work myself.

Juggling the workload

I’ll be honest – I’m not one of those people with a perfect work-life balance routine. There are no hard-and-fast rules for when I clock on or off. Some days I’ll choose to be outside doing something physical when I probably should be inside sorting paperwork. Then I find myself up at 10pm finishing the office stuff I put off – and kick myself for not being a bit more disciplined. But I’ve also learned that you can’t afford to sit and stew on things too long. It’s better to just get stuck in and get it done – otherwise your brain’s in overdrive when you should be sleeping.

We’ve now got 10 full-time staff in the fencing business, split into three crews working at different locations most days. It’s a great team – I’m lucky with the crew I’ve built over the years. They’re all great guys, but yeah, there’s always something that crops up. Just this morning, I got a message from one of the guys saying his little one was sick and he’d need the day off tomorrow. That’s life – we just reshuffle a few things and keep the wheels turning.

Workload-wise this year has been flat out. It’s a good problem to have – even if it’s a bit painful at times. This time last year, I was running around like a blue-arsed fly trying to line up enough work to keep the team busy. At any one time, we’d only have a couple of weeks ahead of us – and that’s a stressful way to operate when you’ve got mouths to feed and wages to cover. So, while we’re now dealing with a big volume of jobs on the go, I’d take this situation over last year’s any day.

Team culture

Once a month, we bring the whole team together – fencing and construction – for a full-group toolbox meeting. If everyone’s got their paperwork up to date, I’ll take them all to the local café and shout them. If not, it’s just at the shed with our thermos. At those meetings, we’ll run through any health and safety issues, near misses, incidents, maintenance needs, or equipment breakdowns. Each crew also holds their own weekly toolbox meetings, and we use an app to keep everyone accountable – logging hours, job updates, and health and safety notes on the go.

“We’ve now got 10 full-time staff in the fencing business, split into three crews working at different locations most days. It’s a great team”

Logistics is a big part of my week. Most clients will show us where they want a fenceline and then leave us to it, so part of my role is making sure crews have what they need, where they need it. Most days, the teams will load up from our yard and head out – but sometimes I’ll be running gear or materials out to sites, especially if it’s something urgent or forgotten. That’s the nature of this kind of work – there’s always an unexpected turn.

“Upskilling my team has always been a priority for me, and I encourage them to get along to fencing competition days and learn from the best”

Growing the industry

Upskilling my team has always been a priority for me, and I encourage them to get along to fencing competition days and learn from the best. Tomorrow I’m heading up to the FCANZ National Conference and Awards, and I’m taking one of our guys who has entered the Emerging Talent award. He doesn’t know it yet – but by the time this story comes out, he’ll know that he’s won it. He’s entered the last couple of years and hasn’t quite got over the line, so he’ll be chuffed to take it out this year.

A couple of years ago, I joined the FCANZ Board, and I really enjoy being part of a group of like-minded people who want to raise standards and build community within the fencing industry.

Community support

Being a small business in a tight-knit rural area also means I’m often asked to sponsor events, fundraisers, and local clubs. I don’t really have a set budget for it – I just go with what feels right. If a client is involved in a community project and I know they’ve supported us in return, I’m more than happy to help where I can. But you can’t say yes to everything, and it also depends on cash flow at the time.

Family and community are a big part of my life. My wife Anna and I have two young kids – Alf, who’s five, and Maeley, who’s three. They’re full of energy, and life at home is pretty full-on. I coach Alf’s Year 1 Rippa rugby team, which is chaotic but a heap of fun. It’s great seeing the kids run around, building their confidence and having a laugh.

Anna and I are also part-owners of a couple of harness racehorses with some mates. It’s something we’ve really enjoyed getting into over the past few years. Cup Week in Christchurch is a highlight on the calendar, and over summer we love heading to race days around Central Otago. Last year, both of our horses won consecutive races, including one winning the Cromwell Cup – that was an absolute buzz and a great day out with good people. It’s a nice way to step away from work and switch off.

I’m also involved in our local rugby club and have served a stint as president. These days I’m still on the committee. The Eastern Rugby Club is a great community hub – it’s family-friendly, well-supported, and a place where everyone chips in. It’s good to be involved in something bigger than just business.

When I’m not running the business, you’ll find me out on my dad’s farm, which is nearby. If he’s away or tied up, I’ll jump in to shift a break, feed out, or lend a hand where needed. Just this morning, I spent a few hours carting baleage. It’s always good to muck in – it helps keep the bigger picture in perspective.

Final thoughts

Looking back on where the business started and seeing how it’s grown year on year is something I’m proud of. I’m not really one to sit around and pat myself on the back – there’s always the next job, the next crew to organise, or the next invoice to sort. But every now and then, I guess it’s good to take stock and be grateful for the ride.

As told by Alice Scott

Published in WIRED issue 78/September 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: Five-way yards a Magnus Opus for Eastern Otago fencer

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A week in the life of Barakat Contractors Limited AKA Barakat Fencing

“Many hands make light work,” and that is the idea we have from running our fencing business week in and week out. We have a lot of struggles in different areas, including managing the old generation vs new generation dynamic of running the business.

Dale and Carl are the owners of the business and are also a father-son duo. They get along extremely well due to Dale being very patient and having a placid nature, and Carl, with his problem-solving can-do attitude – but they still have their differences at times when trying to keep things running.

Dale’s partner, Lisa, and Carl’s wife, Emma, also work in the business and are vital to keeping the business running efficiently. Although at times Emma would say that working together in the office can present its own challenges – especially still being able to talk to each other come dinner each night.

“For both Dale and Carl, their phones are nonstop – averaging anywhere from 30 to 50 phone calls a day”

With all the dynamics that we have, it is very important that everyone is on the same page, as we all are key in making this business work.

Average week for Barakat Fencing

To prepare for the following week, Dale, Carl and Lisa sit down together (or over the phone if Carl is working on site), planning the following week(s) depending on job durations. Friday is often planning time so that everyone knows their jobs for the following week – although this often changes with staff absences, or inclement weather, over the weekend. It is the basis for Dale and Carl to be able to go into the weekend knowing that all staff and jobs are ready. This planning time also helps with notifying clients, client inductions, booking concrete, material fabrication, accommodation if required, preparing safety packs, and sorting job requirements that are needed for the following week.

Come Monday, often plans have changed – mainly due to staff absences or client delays – so it can be hectic first thing. But from time to time, it goes to plan and the week starts smoothly.

For Dale, every morning starts with an early morning walk down the farm to clear his head for the day. He takes this time to write notes of things to tick off and prepare for organising the staff in the yard, who start arriving around 6.30am. Dale does a lot of roles put together, but often he is on the road meeting with clients, quoting, ordering materials, organising, and doing accounts. Being out of the office and on the road creates catch-up time in the office. Dale often works weekends in the office when it’s quieter and his phone is not interrupting his workflow.

Carl is still physically on the tools – problem solving, quality checking and running a crew/job wherever he is needed. Carl is spending more time in the office quoting higher-spec jobs, problem solving and drafting the drawings of gates, out-of-the-ordinary steel posts, etc. to keep our fabrication guys ahead of the work.

For both Dale and Carl, their phones are nonstop – averaging anywhere from 30 to 50 phone calls a day – from managing staff, clients, machinery maintenance, product orders, suppliers/reps, among other things. This takes a large amount of their time and a lot of follow-up, as every phone call often requires an action.

Our foremen are given jobs ahead of time – a few days out – so they can be loaded up and ready to go. But for them, it is often managing the staff under them and making sure they are on track for concrete bookings, client requirements, and checking in with Dale or Carl to make sure the job is being built to spec.

The following are some key areas we at Barakat Fencing have in place to help our week run as smoothly as possible:

• Logistics – sourcing materials and getting materials, gear, and machinery onsite.

In today’s fast-paced business environment, efficient logistics play a crucial role in the success of our operation. One of the fundamental aspects of logistics is sourcing materials, fencing gear, and machinery effectively between jobs in a timely manner.

Our yard is well stocked with materials, and we also have two full-time staff working in the workshop fabricating. We have tried to make our business as self-sufficient as possible, so we are not relying on other suppliers or contractors. We have multiple machinery assets – trucks, diggers, loaders, tractors with rammers, vehicles, trailers – including our own Portaloo. These are a key part of running a successful operation and make organising easier when we don’t have to outsource and rely on other parties for completing our work.

• Staff management and wellbeing – managing crews, absences, recruitment

We employ 25 staff, including three Project Managers, six Foremen, two Technicians, two Fabricators, and 11 staff ranging in ability levels, and three casual staff members. Dale and Carl (Directors/Project Managers) are also actively working in the business. We have been fortunate to have most of our Project Managers, Foremen and Technicians with us for 20-plus years, and they are a huge part of Barakat Fencing’s success.

Having several staff at times can be challenging – trying to make sure we can keep them happy and make sure we are looking after their well-being. Having a larger number of staff gives us the flexibility to be able to rotate staff when absences and sickness happen, although this is still challenging when dealing with commercial clients and ensuring staff are compliant and trained for their site.

We recruit staff from time to time, but most have come to us directly or through word of mouth from existing staff. Recruiting staff can be a challenge, as fencing is often associated with just the rural sector. Security fencing is a big part of our business, and we often have to train staff in this area. It also involves a lot more compliance when working on these sites.

We have an open-door policy for our staff and find that with the four of us (Dale, Carl, Lisa and Emma), this works for our staff to communicate with whom they feel most comfortable talking to. It also helps to build strong relationships with them.

• Health and safety – site plans, H&S management, toolbox talks, incident/near miss reporting

Dealing with a number of commercial clients over the years, we have learnt a lot and had to implement a range of different systems to make sure we are compliant. We have built strong relationships with our clients, and this, in turn, has also helped us implement systems that future clients have required from us.

“Dale started this business with his father, and there was a lot less paperwork back then compared to what he manages now”

Lisa and Emma deal with a lot of the health and safety for the business, and are often looking at ways to help our staff understand their obligations and ensure that they are looking after themselves. We hold monthly meetings with all staff, and this is where we do a lot of reporting, check-ins, and cover key points for health and safety management.

Our health and safety systems are still paper-based rather than app-based, as we believe there are some key benefits to having a paper trail and having staff actively reviewing documents rather than on their phones doing ‘tick-box compliance’. This, in turn, has helped us maintain good filing systems so we can track and locate information when required.

We’ve learnt to be adaptable over the years, with clients requiring health and safety done their way – which is why having someone with strong technology skills has been a must for our business. For many of our commercial clients, there are online portals that require individual accounts for each staff member. These portals are used for a range of purposes – from inductions and health & safety documents, to invoicing and account management.

• Operations/Admin – payroll, paperwork, quotes/estimates

Being a multi-generational company, it takes time to make changes, and in the past two years, Barakat Fencing has undergone a lot of administrative changes, by adopting online platforms to speed up processes and ensure nothing gets missed.

Dale started this business with his father, and there was a lot less paperwork back then compared to what he manages now. Dale still does not operate a computer, so we have strong manual systems and follow up in place to make sure nothing gets missed. When the power goes down, Dale always says, “Well, my computer is still working.”

Carl works a lot from his phone for emailing and dealing with clients, but there have been some changes this year. Emma (Carl’s wife) has placed a computer on his desk so he can start utilising it and learning how the online platforms work – she says he’s more than capable!

We’ve used several different platforms over the years – Cashbook, Ace Payroll, MYOB, Xero – for accounting. Now, we’ve consolidated everything into one package: Xero. Emma manages all these areas and has found her computer skills invaluable in adapting and making the most of the software.

We run Word templates for our quotes, as this is the best way to manage the formatting for the two guys (Carl and Dale) doing the quotes. We also have spreadsheets for their workings and pricing sheets made specifically for the different quotes they do – still manually, with a calculator! This system has all the workings so that if someone like Lisa or Emma were to pick up their quote, they can quickly determine what’s required for ordering, or make minor client-requested changes efficiently.

Life after work

Work/Life balance is always a challenge when owning your own business, and this is an area that is a constant juggle for Dale and Carl.

Having the office based at Dale’s property can be a challenge, as it often means staff and clients turn up at all hours – at times, there’s not much privacy outside of work hours for Dale. For Dale and his partner Lisa, their beach house in Whitianga is a retreat where they spend as many weekends as possible – and can stay longer since they’re able to work from there. It’s a place where Dale can relax and go out fishing, which is a big hobby of his.

“We have an open-door policy for our staff and find that with the four of us (Dale, Carl, Lisa and Emma), this works for our staff to communicate with whom they feel most comfortable talking to”

Carl makes sure there’s time for life outside of work. He has many hobbies, but a big part of making this happen was moving his wife Emma and their three kids out to their hill-country farm, about a 30-minute drive from the yard. It’s where they can spend their time with the family in what they call ‘their piece of paradise’. While the farm is leased out because the fencing business is busy, they still get to enjoy the benefits of farm life on weekends – something both Carl and Emma love sharing with their kids.

Our long-standing staff also do a range of hobbies and often enjoy doing them with other Barakat Fencing team members, as many are friends outside of work. A big hobby among our staff is deer and duck shooting, and we often joke that we need to shut down for the months of April/May!

Barakat Fencing has been a multi-generational business, and Carl and Emma have the next generation coming through – their eldest son, aged 11, often helps out during the holidays.

Written by Emma Barakat

Published in WIRED issue 78/September 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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