News

Good quality fence wire, whether plain, barbed, prefabricated or wire netting, is key to the life of a fence.

Waratah Longlife Blue® products stand out by offering maximum corrosion protection, which is essential for withstanding New Zealand’s diverse environment.

Farmers and contractors in New Zealand trust these products for their exceptional durability in coastal, high-humidity, and variable weather conditions. If you want a fence that lasts, you’ll need Australia’s leading fence wire, Waratah Longlife Blue®.

In addition to their corrosion resistance, Longlife Blue® products are high-performance and have been thoroughly tested for durability, making them perfect for the diverse and rugged terrains of New Zealand. Whether it’s for agricultural, rural, or commercial use, Waratah fence wire provides a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution that meets the demands of the New Zealand landscape.

Paul Baikie from Farmer Joe’s Fencing, is familiar with the hassle of poor-quality fencing materials making their way into NZ and has had firsthand experience of how costly it can be when the products are simply not made for NZ conditions.

“When you start talking to the other contractors, they were all having the same problem,” states Paul. Suppliers would make claims that their products could not support. Having had to re-visit many jobs due to poor quality products not holding up in the conditions, Paul went looking for a reliable fencing brand that could supply materials that would last.

Paul’s decision to fence with Waratah has given him confidence in his work, stating that “switching to Waratah was the best thing we have ever done.” Waratah is the only Australian fencing manufacturer that control every step in the manufacturing process and comply to relevant consistency and quality standards, guaranteeing products are made for harsh conditions. Because of the Waratah guarantee, Paul is confident in using the products, saying, “With Waratah, we know what we are getting, the product will be better. For years it has proven it can last in outback Australia. I know it will last here”.

Using Longlife Blue® ensures minimal maintenance when used in conjunction with all elements of the Waratah Fencing System. You will soon realise you can’t afford not to use Waratah Longlife Blue® wire.

For more information on Waratah products, visit www.waratahfencing.co.nz or call Brendon Crequer on: 021 393 010.

Article supplied by:

Published in WIRED issue 76/March 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: Why Waratah Flex Rail?

Read WIRED online
Follow us on Facebook

© Fencing Contractors Association NZ (FCANZ)

Planning is well underway for what looks to be yet another excellent FCANZ Conference this August.

Open to all current FCANZ members and their partners, this three-day event will once again provide delegates with unrivalled networking (aka socialising) opportunities, a forum in which to share ideas and learn new business-best practice tips, and the chance to have a say in how the Association operates. You’ll also meet key industry suppliers and see the latest and greatest fencing tools and techniques.

WEDNESDAY 6 AUGUST

National Fencing Field Day (NFFD)

Join us at the 5th annual NFFD to see the latest fencing gear, watch best practice demos, talk with exhibitors and challenge fellow fencing contractors to win great prizes in the FCANZ Games. If you are driving, enter your vehicle in the “Show Us Your Toolbox” competition and be in to win, thanks to the Milwaukee team. This competition is open to both FCANZ members and non-members, with prizes for each category.

Last year, we introduced the Secondary Schools Fencing Competition, and we’re delighted to confirm that it is returning this year. Watch the students duke it out against each other and see if the girls can outperform the boys for the quality awards – and whether anyone can knock Geraldine High School off the overall top spot! Travel to and from, and entry into the NFFD are complimentary with your Conference25 ticket.

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!

Mix & Mingle Dinner*

Our ever-popular Mix & Mingle dinner is being held this year at Finn’s Bistro & Beer Garden, right in the middle oftown. 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.
*Food and drinks at this event are not included in your Conference25 ticket.

THURSDAY 7 AUGUST

Conference25 & AGM – Lake Taupō Yacht Club

The National Fencing Field Day and the activities day on Friday have all come about from the need for FCANZ, as an Incorporated Society, to hold an Annual General Meeting every year, which means that Thursday is our “serious business” day. You’ll hear a report on what the Board has achieved in the previous 12 months and an update on what is planned for the next 12 months.

This is followed by the AGM, during which the Board will be decided, 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. If you have been considering being involved in the direction of the Association, then now is your chance. While the incumbents may look to stand again, this doesn’t stop others from standing. If there are more nominations than positions, it will go to a confidential vote, with the results notified later in the day. Nomination forms and role descriptions will be available on our website in April.

The learning part of the Conference programme follows the AGM. We’ve asked Infometrics Chief Economist Brad Olsen to come back again and update us on where the economy is at 12 months later. The day will also include our Member Feedback Forum, when you, as a member, are invited to comment on Association activities and contribute to the forward direction of FCANZ.

Gala Dinner & FCANZ Awards – Lake Taupō Yacht Club

Once the Conference sessions have finished for the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to change into your glad rags and meet us in town for a well-earned beverage before heading back to the Yacht Club for our semi-formal dinner and awards ceremony.

There will be prizes for the best dressed, so make sure you put in a good effort!

FRIDAY 8 AUGUST

Activities Day
We love planning the activities day for our delegates – and this year is no exception! Once again, we’ve decided to keep the plans for the activities on the down-low until much closer to the day. Check out our Facebook page and the June edition of WIRED for more info about what we’ll be doing.

Dinner on the Lake
A stay in Taupō isn’t complete without some form of water activity. For the final dinner of our 2025 Conference programme, we’re heading out on the lake for a 3-hour charter cruise with the team from Chris Jolly Outdoors. We’ll raft up at the Ngatoroirangi Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings and enjoy a tasty BBQ dinner before returning to shore.
(If the weather isn’t great, we’ll head to a sheltered bay instead.)

Getting there

Taupō is a relatively easy drive from most cities in the North Island, and thankfully, State Highway 1 through the Desert Road will be open by the time delegates need to use it! Taupo also boasts a reasonably well-serviced airport. If you decide to fly, let us know when your flight lands, and we’ll see if we can arrange transport for you.

Where to stay

There are hundreds of accommodation options in and around Taupo to suit every budget, from backpackers and B&Bs to motels, hotels, and lodges. Choose the option that works best for you. The Board will be staying at the  Acacia Lake View Motel, right in the middle of town, so feel free to join us there.

We’ll let delegates know where the Board will meet each day for breakfast or evening beverages (when there isn’t a planned location), and you are more than welcome to join us.

Tickets

Early Bird tickets are $390+GST per person and are available until June 30th, 2024.

From July 1st, tickets will be at full price – $450+GST per person.

Book your ticket now and lock in your spot – numbers are strictly limited!

www.fcanz.org.nz/conference

Learn more about Taupō at www.loveTaupo.com
*Please note that details are subject to change

Published in WIRED issue 76/March 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: Fencing Industry Excellence Recognised at 2024 Awards

Read WIRED online
Follow us on Facebook

© Fencing Contractors Association NZ (FCANZ)

FCANZ is delighted to announce that the first Accredited Fencing Contractor on-site audits will take place around the North Island this month.

The individual Certified Fencer endorsement and Accredited Fencing Contractor business-level endorsement will raise the profile of fencing as a trade that widely commits to best-practice project delivery and business processes.

Over the years, the industry has faced significant challenges in the education space, from Industry Training Organisations folding and all records being unavailable, to system failures leading to the loss of records. FCANZ President Phil Cornelius says, “These situations have been hugely frustrating not only for the person who has put in all the hard work and literally has nothing to show for it, but for us as an Association. It’s really limited our ability to deliver consistent industry endorsements”.

After a long hiatus, the Association endorsements have been re-framed, and the new Accredited Fencing Contractor and Certified Fencer endorsements created. The initial application and assessment requirements are robust, and the re-assessment procedures are clear. FCANZ is confident that this new structure will ensure a consistent quality of fencer and fencing business across each of the endorsement levels. The previous endorsements that were issued a significant number of years ago by the Association were not maintained

“ As a Board, we 100% believe the Accredited Fencing Contractor endorsement is in the best interests of our members and the industry, and so we’re prepared to contribute financially to make sure it’s available to all of our members – regardless of where they are based and have all lapsed, meaning that the appropriate solution was the creation of updated endorsements.

“I’ve been fencing for decades – I don’t need a piece of paper to prove I’m good” is something we frequently hear. We agree most of our members are excellent fencers and probably great business owners. The key is that the FCANZ endorsements are not for the benefit of other fencers. An average customer doesn’t know a good fencer from a poor fencer when in the initial selection stages. This is particularly apparent when the customer is a large organisation with a tender process. Having the endorsement allows FCANZ members to prove their expertise in a comparatively unregulated industry.

Members should also note that the Association does not financially benefit from the delivery of the endorsements. Indeed, it is often the opposite, with auditing costs being subsidised by the Association. The fees an applicant pays for the Accredited Fencing Contractor endorsement contribute to the cost of getting an auditor to site.

“As a Board, we 100% believe the Accredited Fencing Contractor endorsement is in the best interests of our members and the industry, and so we’re prepared to contribute financially to make sure it’s available to all of our members – regardless of where they are based,” says Phil.

As the national industry body, FCANZ will reach out later this year to each local and regional council around New Zealand to promote endorsed members and the level of confidence the endorsements can bring to their selection processes. The focus will be on education, including what ‘good’ looks like and how choosing the lowest price is not always the most cost-effective decision. Phil adds, “We’re playing the long game here for the good of our members and the industry. It’s time to weed out the cowboys undercutting us all and support those who consistently do great work.”

Currently, the endorsements are heavily focused on rural fencing, the sector that many of our members are involved in. However, both the Level 4 Certificate in Fencing and the Endorsements can be adjusted relatively easily to meet the needs of other sectors/types of fencing, particularly residential and security fencing.

We look forward to announcing our new Accredited Fencing Contractors in due course.

For more information on the Certificates in Fencing and the FCANZ endorsements, head to www.fcanz.org.nz/training.

Written by Jaime Bigwood

Published in WIRED issue 76/March 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: Progression of Certificate in Fencing Level 3 and 4 at NorthTec

Read WIRED online
Follow us on Facebook

© Fencing Contractors Association NZ (FCANZ)

Mental well-being journeys

As I sit down to write this and think of the many topics we could discuss in this space, I am reminded that there is an amazing team behind the Lean on a Gate, Talk to a Mate campaign.

Slade McFarland and Jason Herrick are both founding Trustees of the Whatever with Wiggy Charity and have their own stories to tell around mental health and the effect it has had on their lives and those close to them.

Slade was one of the country’s original professional rugby players, with a career which included becoming a Maori All Black, and finishing his career in France. The fallout after returning back to New Zealand and adopting a ‘normal’ life of work without the high profile and income took its toll, leading to a heck of a mental health journey.

Jason is well known in rural New Zealand for his work in Federated Farmers and rural advocacy, but when his wife needed to ask the police to find him as she was concerned for his well-being, he realised life needed to change. Faced with many physical and mental health challenges, he too made changes in his life.

Both these men are an inspiration to me and support the cause of better rural mental and physical health to the point of an addiction. Please read from them their words on what they do now for their own well-being.

Slade McFarland

Personal Well-Being
Taking care of my personal well-being has become a priority in my life. I have realised that maintaining a balance between my physical, mental, and emotional health is essential for overall happiness. To achieve this, I have incorporated several practices into my daily routine.

Firstly, I engage in regular physical exercise, which not only keeps me fit but also boosts my mood and energy levels. I also prioritise a balanced diet, ensuring I consume nutritious foods that fuel my body and mind.

In addition to physical health, I focus on mental well-being by practicing mindfulness and meditation. These techniques help me stay present and manage stress effectively. I also make time for hobbies and activities that bring me joy, such as reading and spending time with loved ones.

Hobbies and Interests
One of my favourite hobbies is cross-training with my wife. This not only keeps us both physically active but also strengthens our bond. I also love experiencing events like concerts during the weekends, which provide a great way to unwind and enjoy live music. Planning holidays gives me something to look forward to, adding excitement and anticipation to my life. Lastly, riding my Harley Davidson motorbike offers me a sense of freedom and adventure that is unmatched. These hobbies play a crucial role in enhancing my overall well-being.

Lastly, I ensure I get enough sleep, as it is crucial for rejuvenation and overall health. By taking these steps, I am able to maintain a positive outlook on life and achieve a sense of well-being.

Jason Herrick

Taking care of my mental health is a priority, and I focus on a balanced approach that incorporates exercise, family, healthy eating, and positive personal development. Regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways I maintain my mental well-being. I make sure to engage in exercises like walking, jogging, or strength training at least every day. These activities help reduce stress, boost my mood, and increase my overall energy levels.

I also place great importance on spending quality time with my family. Whether it’s spending more time together, engaging in meaningful conversations, or just enjoying each other’s company, my family provides emotional support and connection that nurtures my mental health. Additionally, I pay close attention to my diet, aiming to consume a balanced diet full of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats and filling the gaps with nutritional supplements. This not only supports my physical health but also has a significant impact on my mental clarity and emotional stability.

I engage in personal development by listening to educational podcasts and audio books. These resources help me learn new skills, gain fresh perspectives, and stay motivated, which all contribute to a positive mindset. Overall, by prioritising exercise, nurturing family bonds, maintaining a nutritious diet, and investing in my growth, I create a stable foundation for mental well-being.

Craig Wiggins

I often get asked what I do for my mental health and well-being. The answer is pretty simple; I give back!! The amount of positivity I get back from helping those who may need a kind word, hug or more in-depth support fills my cup.

The work I do on horseback at race meetings is a privilege to be able to do, and the joy people show when they touch their first horse, the adrenaline of catching a loose horse, and the connection I have with the horses I have under me, has such a positive effect and is a mile away from some of the hard stuff I see in the mental health support work, it’s a great release.

Deciding to prioritise family, and the work that really matters, selling the farm and downsizing to allow both, means that I
can make what I do better for myself and those around me.

If it’s better mental or physical health you seek, my words of advice are simple: make a change for the positive, leave behind the negatives, and give to others!

Published in WIRED issue 76/March 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: Wiggy’s World – Walking away from the negative

Read WIRED online
Follow us on Facebook

© Fencing Contractors Association NZ (FCANZ)

Normally when Shaun gets home from a hunting trip he is satisfied, smelly and tired. This time, when he arrived home, he was satisfied, smelly but enlivened.

He had something to tell me.

“Guess what?” he asked.

“You shot a deer”, I stated.

“Yes, but guess what else?”

“You shot two deer,” I teased him.

“Yes, but also,” he was so keen to get his story out, “I met someone interesting.”

Now, this could be a good story. He was on a hunting trip with a mate and his mate’s mates he hadn’t met before.

“So, there was one guy there and we hit it off, he kinda felt, like, really familiar. He asked me what I did, and when I said I was a fencer, he asked me if I knew his uncle who was a fencer.”

Huh? I was momentarily confused with the story until Shaun finished with: “And I said ‘F*ck off he’s my uncle’, and he said, ‘Nah f*ck off, he’s MY uncle!’”

And this is how Shaun found out he had a cousin, who also works on farms and does fencing.

This same guy has a brother (another cousin for Shaun) who also works in a similar industry, clearing fence lines in diggers. So, when Shaun was under the pump at work one time, he rang this long-lost cousin’s brother he’d never met and asked him to come and work for us for a week. Which he did. And they got on like a house on fire.

It seems to run in families, fencing.

Shaun has another fencing cousin, who has a husband and a son who all fence too. They are long-time in the game and were the ones who introduced fencing to Shaun as a teenager in his school holidays.

He remembers having to re-do whole fence lines (in his own time, unpaid) because it wasn’t up to standard. He learnt the importance of quality and a good work ethic, which put him in a good place when he set up his own fencing business 20-odd years later. He remembers being a few months into the new business and needing a tractor for a job, he bought their hand-me-down Massey Fergusson. It was Shaun’s absolute pride and joy. He would often park it in the driveway when I wasn’t home, banishing my Mitsubishi out to the roadside.

These cousins have been an incredible source of support for us. Shaun rings them often for advice on quoting, on how-to knowledge, to share wins and also the dark days.

Shaun reconnected with another cousin a few years ago. And he’s a fencer too. And there’s another uncle too. Fieldays is like a family reunion.

It was no surprise then, when our son left school not knowing what he wanted to do and decided to work for Dad till he figured it out. Six years later he had his Level 3 Fencing Certificate and was a nominee for FCANZ Emerging Talent – Youth award in 2023. Working together every day could have gone either way, but luckily for us it turned out good, and Dad and son have a very close relationship now.

As a wife, I really value Shaun’s fencing relatives. Not only are they a great support, but they also provide that wonderful sense of belonging that we humans need. Having a sense of belonging – to a family, a group, an organisation – is a primal instinct that we developed as cavemen, it told us that if there was danger, or famine, then we would have a better chance of survival if we were in a group. So, feeling like we belong gives us a sense of safety and closeness. It’s also what many human development experts tell us is needed for our mental health. If you belong to something, then you won’t fall for anything.

Written by Angelena Davies

www.daviesfencing.com

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 75/December 2024 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: A Wife’s Tale – September 2023

Read WIRED online
Follow us on Facebook

© Fencing Contractors Association NZ (FCANZ)

Name: Ben Fisher
Course: Certificate in Fencing (Level 4)

“I enrolled in the Level 3 fencing course and then went on and completed the Level 4,” says Ben Fisher, NorthTec graduate. “I’d been fencing for a while before that, but I still found it really interesting and informative.”

“I decided to do the course to begin with to support the idea, then continued on to do Level 4 because it’s a really valuable qualification to have. It’s helpful to be accredited for many reasons. It shows you know what you’re doing and can provide clients with peace of mind.”
Ben was already self-employed, running his own fencing business, when he enrolled in the courses, but that didn’t mean there weren’t things to learn.

“The tutors were great. They had valuable insights into the industry and a lot of experience to pass on. It was also great to meet others that are in the same industry to connect and network.”

“The Level 4 course is mostly online, that made it easy to fit in around my work and family. I’m not really a computer person, but I managed to figure it out, so I think it would be pretty accessible to most people. It was a good course, I’d recommend it.”

Published in WIRED issue 75/December 2024 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: NorthTec Student Profile: Peter Magon

Read WIRED online
Follow us on Facebook

© Fencing Contractors Association NZ (FCANZ)

Fencequip had a few of our customers in the United States get in touch, saying their ground is so hard and un-fractured that our Rock Monster Augers were drilling the hole but taking roughly 45 minutes per hole, which was getting painfully slow.

To solve this problem, our only option was to look towards the quarry/mining sector for an answer. The cost-effective solution was to add a ‘Down-the-Hole Hammer’ (DTH Hammer) to our Rock Spike/Auger Units.

This has been done before by fencing contractors, but it has come at a high cost and with a range of headaches. Fencequip has developed a setup that simply and quickly attaches to any of our existing Post Drivers. The DTH Hammer attaches where our Auger Extension is, allowing the user to change from Auger to DTH Hammer easily in a matter of minutes.

The DTH Hammer requires a 185-250CFM Air Compressor that can be towed by the Tow Hitch on our Side Mounts. This provides the air that operates the DTH Hammer and removes the rock chips. There is a gate that spring latches to the mast, allowing the user to control the bottom of the Hammer when starting the hole.

The DTH Hammer had its soft launch at the New Zealand National Fieldays in June 2024, displayed on site. Then in August, it was onto the USA launch at the ‘East Coast Fence Rivalry’ held in Virginia and hosted by Derrick Cox. This was a great location with plenty of rock around for demonstrations and customers to see it in action.

Since the launch of the DTH Hammer we have had very positive feedback from our customers, including comments such as “the harder the rock, the faster it drills”. In good conditions, customers can now drill a hole 1 metre deep in around two minutes.

Our standard DTH Hammer setup can drill a hole 90mm – 150mm in diameter with a range of sizes in between.

The type of rock the DTH Hammer suits includes Quartz, Granite and anything that is exceptionally hard and challenging, where our ‘Rock Monster’ Augers start to drill slow.

We are excited for this next phase of Post Driver development. For more information on the Down-the-Hole Hammer, contact Troy Knudsen on 0800 362 747.

Supplied by:

Published in WIRED issue 75/December 2024 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

Read WIRED online
Follow us on Facebook

© Fencing Contractors Association NZ (FCANZ)

We’re thrilled to invite you to see our WIREMARK® fencing coils being made right here in New Zealand.

As the country’s only local manufacturer of galvanised wire, our Auckland-based factory produces thousands of WIREMARK® coils each year, designed to withstand New Zealand’s rugged conditions. Many of these coils are used by local fencing contractors who, like us, take great pride in their craftsmanship.

FCANZ members are now invited to tour our Wire Mill and witness the WIREMARK® production line in action. If you’re interested in joining a tour, please contact our friendly sales team at , and we’ll be happy to arrange a tour date that works for you.

We look forward to showcasing our process and sharing our dedication to quality with you!

Supplied by:

Published in WIRED issue 75/December 2024 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

Read WIRED online
Follow us on Facebook

© Fencing Contractors Association NZ (FCANZ)

After 25 years in the agricultural industry and more than a decade in sales, Matt Green knows a thing or two about what contractors need to succeed.

As Channel Lead – Contractors at Farmlands, Matt’s new role was purposely created with one mission in mind: to better support rural contractors, especially those in fencing, by ensuring they have what they need, when they need it, wrapped up in the best deals possible.

That mission comes with two core approaches: relationship building and leveraging technology.

“It’s about building relationships for the long haul,” says Matt. “By getting to know you and your business, we can have a real conversation about what you need, and I can go in to bat for you with the powers-that-be to tailor a smarter solution or better deal.”

The second is built on innovative technology and the swift uptake of Farmlands’ new digital tool, FarmlandsPRO, which is helping contractors and farmers/growers remove some of the day-to-day pain points by streamlining the way they interact with Farmlands.

“If you’re not a Farmlands shareholder yet, or you haven’t downloaded FarmlandsPRO, you’re missing out,” says Matt. “Real-time access to your pricing and order management from wherever the work is happening – not just your base of operations – is a game changer. That baked-in flexibility around order management saves a lot of time.”

But Matt’s support goes beyond product and price. With his extensive experience as a Sales Manager, he is more than willing to talk about how to help contractors grow their business. “Whether it’s setting goals, building customer relationships, or developing new strategies, I’m here to help contractors at every stage.” Matt’s message is simple, “Get in touch with me. Let’s have a conversation. When you succeed, we all succeed; that is what drives us at Farmlands.”

027 522 4388

Supplied by:

Published in WIRED issue 75/December 2024 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

Read WIRED online
Follow us on Facebook

© Fencing Contractors Association NZ (FCANZ)