Programme - FCANZ - Fencing Contractors Association NZ

NOTE: Conference25 was held on 6th – 8th August 2025. Conference26 info will be added here in the first half of 2026. In the meantime, feel free to read on about Conference25.

Day 0: Tuesday 5th August

Dinner – 6.30pm onwards, Lone Star, 24 Roberts Street, Taupō

If you arrive early, you are more than welcome to join us at the Lone Star for a casual dinner starting at 6.30pm.

NB: this dinner is not included in your Conference package.

Day 1: Wednesday 6th August

National Fencing Field Day (NFFD) – 234 State Highway 1, Wairakei, Taupō

Wednesday will see the return of the National Fencing Field Day, from 9am – 3pm. This event will be open to the public and will showcase the best products, services and equipment available to the fencing and farming communities, including tools, machinery, vehicles, clothing and personal protection equipment. The day’s programme will include the Secondary Schools Fencing Competition, product demonstrations and the FCANZ games. If you’re driving, enter your vehicle in the “Show Us Your Toolbox” competition and be in to win thanks to the Milwaukee team.

For the long-suffering partners who aren’t keen on spending the day in the field with their other half, we’ll once again be running the popular Ladies Who Lunch outing. Your FCANZ “hostess with the mostest” will take you on a fabulous day filled with delicious food, interesting activities, and wonderful company. Book early, though, as spaces are limited!

Travel to and from the NFFD and entry into the event are complimentary as part of your Conference ticket.

Mix & Mingle Dinner – 5.00pm onwards, Finn’s Bistro & Beer Garden, 10 Tūwharetoa Street, Taupō

Our ever-popular Mix & Mingle dinner is being held this year at Finn’s Bistro & Beer Garden, right in the middle of town. Come along, enjoy a casual catch-up with old acquaintances, and meet new people. We’ve got a space reserved just for us, so feel free to head down once you’re back from the National Fencing Field Day.

Jaime & Jay will be there to register you and hand out delegate bags with lots of goodies thanks to our Partners and Sponsors.

NB: Food and drinks at the Mix & Mingle Dinner are not included in your Conference package.

Day 2: Thursday 7th August

Conference & AGM – Lake Taupō Yacht Club, 9 Ferry Road, Taupō

A bright and early start to Conference 2025, kicking off at 8.30 am, with the Board update and Annual General Meeting before we delve into the Conference programme for the day.

The Board will be decided at the AGM and any Association rule changes will be voted upon. Three of the seven Board positions will be up for renewal this year due to our retirement-by-rotation policy.

The learning part of the Conference programme follows the AGM. We’ve asked Gareth Kiernan from Infometrics to update us on where the economy is at, also speaking is Tony Thornton from Thornton Fence Consulting in the US.

The agenda, Board nominee profiles, all other AGM documentation can be found here: AGM Pack

Gala Dinner & FCANZ Awards – Lake Taupō Yacht Club, 9 Ferry Road, Taupō – 5.30pm until late

Once the Conference sessions have finished for the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to change into your glad rags and meet us for happy hour and our semi-formal dinner and awards ceremony. There will be prizes for the best dressed, so make sure you put in a good effort.

Day 3: Friday 8th August

Activities Day

This year, our activities day is all about choice – you choose what you want to do, and when!

Your options are:

PermaPine site tour at 9.30am or 1.30pm

And two of the following:

Lunch is at Mavericks Gastro Pub, at whatever time suits you.

Keep an eye on the WhatsApp chat to see when people are heading to the various places.

To attend the fascinating 90-minute PermaPine tour, you will need to register (see your Conference25 Delegate Information email) as numbers are strictly limited due to health & safety requirements. Pickup and drop off for these tours will be under the plane at Taupo MacDonald’s.

You will receive vouchers with your delegate pack for your choice of activities and for your lunch.

Closing Dinner – Lake Taupō Yacht Club, 9 Ferry Road, Taupō – 5.30pm until late

For the final dinner of our 2025 Conference programme, we’re heading back to the Yacht Club for an evening to celebrate another successful conference with old friends and new. (Sadly, the boats we were supposed to be on are being serviced, hence the change of venue).

Note: Conference Programme details are subject to change

Thanks to our 2025 conference sponsors:
Elite Sponsors