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This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) becoming an incorporated society. Over that time, both the fencing industry and the wider economy have changed significantly, and FCANZ has evolved alongside them.

One of the most notable shifts has been in the rural sector, where landowners increasingly recognise the value of engaging specialist contractors to carry out key on-farm tasks such as fencing. FCANZ President Phil Cornelius says the change in mindset has been gradual but significant.

“Farmers used to do everything themselves, but over the last decade or so there’s been growing acceptance that it often works out cheaper to pay a professional to get the job done properly. That frees farmers up to focus on their stock, while fencing work is completed efficiently and to a high standard.”

When FCANZ was formally incorporated in 2006, two years after the organisation was established, its founding objectives were clear and ambitious. These included lifting the profile and standard of fencing in New Zealand, growing the market for professional fencing contractors, promoting high-quality workmanship, encouraging training and skills development, facilitating information sharing within regions, and providing advice for the benefit of members.

Over time, those objectives have been refined into a clear mission: “To raise the profile of fencing as a recognised trade that embraces best practice, adherence to quality standards, and ongoing professional development.”

This mission is underpinned by three core principles: that fencing is a recognised trade, fencing is chosen as a career, and best practice is adopted across the industry.

As the membership body for a largely unregulated industry, achieving these goals has not been without challenges. While the Fencing Act 1978 sets out responsibilities for boundary fencing, it does not prescribe how fences must be built, nor does it establish enforceable construction standards or industry-wide specifications. The Act defines what may be considered an “adequate fence” and provides examples of fence types, but these are guidance only. In addition, regional and district councils often have their own by-laws relating to fence height and, in some cases, fence style, adding further variation to requirements across the country.

To address this gap, FCANZ has undertaken a major project to develop best-practice technical drawings for a range of fence types.

“Everyone has their own way of doing things, and practices vary between regions and between islands,” says Cornelius. “What these drawings do is draw a line in the sand and say: this is what we, as an organisation with 20 years’ experience, consider to be best practice/minimum standards. Contractors can still work in their own way, but this is about education – for our members and for the people paying for fences. We want everyone to understand what good looks like.”

The drawings are being developed by a panel of fencers from around New Zealand, bringing together decades of hands-on experience. They are undergoing peer review by a further five experienced fencing contractors with extensive practical expertise to ensure their robustness and real-world relevance.

The initial portfolio of drawings, due for release in the first quarter of 2026, will include key rural sector fence types, as well as post-and-rail and paling fence drawings, and will continue to grow as additional fence types and details are developed. The drawings will be available free of charge to FCANZ members via the member-only portal on the Association’s website. They will also be made available for a small fee to support procurement processes for New Zealand-based organisations, such as councils and construction companies.

While FCANZ’s roots are firmly in rural fencing, the Association has broadened considerably over the years. Membership and industry partners now span a multitude of fencing sectors including rural, residential, commercial, and security. Many members work with a wide range of materials across diverse fencing styles and environments, and a significant number have diversified into related areas such as vineyard installations, orchard infrastructure, track building, decking, and retaining walls.

Later this year, FCANZ will launch a revamped website, including a significantly improved online contractor directory for the public. With more than 20,000 visits each year to the directory, FCANZ Executive Director Jaime Bigwood says improving accessibility is critical.

“This is a significant project, but it’s an important one — particularly when it comes to modelling and reinforcing the adoption of best practice across the industry,” says Bigwood. “We run an always-on Google Ads campaign directing people to the directory, helping ensure FCANZ members are the first contractors found when someone searches for a fencer in their area. It’s vital that the user experience is seamless and that our members are easy to find. The directory is just one of many member benefits, and it also plays a role in lifting the visibility and recognition of fencing as a professional trade.”

ABOUT FCANZ – LEADING THE WAY IN PROFESSIONAL FENCING

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) is the voice of the fencing industry, dedicated to lifting standards, promoting professionalism, and positioning fencing as a recognised and rewarding career.

FCANZ connects members with the latest in fencing innovation – products, techniques, and industry trends – while providing practical tools like best practice guidelines, templates, and codes of practice to support quality workmanship.

Through flagship events such as the annual conference and nationwide Fencing Best Practice Days, FCANZ offers members valuable opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. These events deliver hands-on insights into new techniques, health and safety, product performance, pricing strategies, and more – helping members stay ahead in a competitive industry.

Written by Jaime Bigwood

 

Published in WIRED issue 80/March 2026 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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“This will be my last article,” I wrote to Heather, editor of WIRED magazine, in an email back in July.

I’ve been writing this column for over five years now, and I’ve run out of ideas. I’ve overshared Shaun’s life to the point of TMI (Too Much Information), and that’s my main (and let’s face it, most interesting) content. Also, things have changed in my own life – I no longer spend time in Davies Fencing like I used to. Things tick along nicely with the systems, people, and exit strategy I’d put into place.

“Please reconsider,” was Heather’s reply.

But I’d made my mind up. I’m done.

The following week, Shaun and I made our way to Taupo for Conference. As we neared the National Fencing Field Day venue, we felt our anticipation rise. We fondly remembered past conferences and the people we get to catch up with yearly, and wondered who might win the awards and how much money we might raise for Wiggy. Conference always gives us a sense of belonging and connection, a key ingredient for feeling good about life (aye Wiggy?).

We pulled into the car park and walked to the table where the FCANZ team were. Big hugs and arm punches were had. Within minutes, Jaime says, “See that guy there – white beard, walking stick – he’s a big fan of your articles”.

Gulp.

“Oh.. um… really… um… well… I have news… um… I’m not writing the column anymore.”

This elicited a long conversation of me explaining my reasons, and them reminding me of how well received A Wife’s Tale is. I was flattered but not swayed.

That night at the Meet n Greet, a partner came up to me at a bar leaner and said, “Hey, I know you. You write those articles about Shaun.”

Which confirmed my suspicions of my Most Interesting Content. I let him know that I’m done writing, and he shared with me that it’s the first article he reads when WIRED arrives, and to please keep writing.

Gulp. Gulp.

At dinner the next night, I had a big, burly man tell me that he keeps copies of WIRED in his Ute, down the side of the seat, and he pulls them out to read A Wife’s Tale at smoko. “You have a great way of writing. Please keep it up.”

At lunch the next day, as I was walking out of the restaurant – it was freezing cold and pissing down – a ‘seasoned’ fencer saw me and proceeded to tell me in the doorway how much he loves A Wife’s Tale. I stood there shivering as I listened to his favourite stories I’d written. He said it makes his day, and to please keep writing.

Gulp. Okay, this is getting weird. I thought A Wife’s Tale would be a chick read, but it seems the audience includes beards.

At the awards ceremony, I sat with Noksee and told him my decision. His jolly face was not going to let me quit.

“I can give you some ideas,” he said. “Why don’t you write about the young dairy farmer I know, whose boss asked him to do a ‘favour’ for his wife’s 50th birthday party, and dress as a stripper and go and vacuum her floors. He turned up in a little G-string with a crocodile on it, women were cackling, it was a hoot! When his boss went to pay him, he said he’d rather keep the vacuum so he could go and do it again as a side hustle.”

Awkward pause. A conversation involving Noksee and crocodile speedos wasn’t something I thought I could write about (but see what I did there?) Also awkward was looking over at Shaun and seeing him considering a new side hustle (joking! As if.) (But also, maybe).

This trend of bumping into people throughout the conference, telling me how much they enjoy reading A Wife’s Tale was all a bit… humbling, to be honest. When I began with the idea of the column, I selfishly thought it was good publicity for Davies Fencing. I didn’t realise how much you all would love reading about Shaun’s life and the antics we get up to in business.

So, I’m going to keep writing. Just for another year. If you have any ideas for me, then please let me know at .

As long as it doesn’t involve crocodile speedos, I’ll consider it.

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 79/December 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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A perfectionist who took pride in his work

There was a time in Frank Prince’s life when he did not consider fencing as a profession. Fortunately, as his family recalls, he ‘fell into it’, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, commitment, and a high quality of workmanship that set a benchmark for New Zealand fencing.

Francis John Robert ‘Frank’ Prince was born on 25 June 1941 in Whanganui. His father, Frederick ‘Frank’ Prince Snr, worked as a fencer in the greater Whanganui district around Marton and Turakina his whole life. Travel wasn’t as straightforward then as it is now, and staying local offered many good work opportunities. He and his wife raised a family of six children: daughters Josephine and Janice, and sons Frank Jnr, Louis, Neville, and Maurice.

Frank Snr fenced at a time during the Second World War when timber was plentiful in New Zealand but wire wasn’t. Three-wire was the norm, all work was done by hand using a post hole borer for the strainers and angles, and stays were chopped with an axe. Frank Snr died at the age of 92, having fenced well into his 70s.

As a young man, Frank Jnr had no desire to be a fencer like his father, although he had learned basic skills by helping out on jobs after leaving school. Instead, he became an engineer/boilermaker, doing his time on the railways. As an apprentice, Frank helped to construct a railway bridge over the Whanganui River at Aramoho. This bridge, still in active service today, is one of the few riveted bridges remaining in New Zealand. It was built on top of the old one and then lowered down onto it.

Moving from a boilermaker to a fencer was quite a transition for Frank. Fencing was still not his profession of choice, but he took it up professionally after he and his wife, Marie, purchased a lifestyle block in the small farming community of Maxwell, about 20 kilometres west of Whanganui.

Frank married Marie in 1961, and they had four children: Robert, Rick, daughter Tracey, and the youngest, Marcus. They raised their family on the Maxwell block of three acres divided into six paddocks, including the yard and garden. They had dairy cows, a pig, and a house cow that kept them in milk and butter. Marie remembers having 41 pounds of home­made butter in the deep freeze one time.

The mid-80s offered opportunities with the rapid development of horticulture in New Zealand, and Frank worked extensively with Jim Erickson, who was the ‘guru’ in this expanding industry.

Frank worked in areas around Whanganui, including Raetihi, Ohakune, Waverley, Bulls, and the Whanganui River, sometimes staying away from home when the jobs were big. One of the first major jobs he took on was a 10km deer fence up the river. He usually had brother Neville working with him and hired others from around the Maxwell district, many of whom ended up with him at Fieldays as part of a large group from Whanganui. Fencing was a ‘family affair’ with Robert, Rick, and Tracey all helping out. Rick recalls getting “a truck and trailer load of materials every week, that’s a load of timber, and we were putting that in the ground each week.”

Frank wasn’t big on machinery and often made or modified his own equipment. He dug posts in by hand. Robert remembers, “Dad swore he’d never use a post driver, waste of money, saying the bloody tractor and driver would be sitting doing nothing”, but he gave in during his last big job in 1997. He and Robert installed 25km of electric fencing in 24 days, each working with a post driver. “He never went away from post drivers after that!”

Marie claims credit for one job where she told Frank to construct a mole plough for an underground cabling job. “The plough was highly sought after when we sold the Maxwell land, and Frank would never admit it was my idea to get it.”

Tragedy struck the family in 1985 when Marcus was killed by a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Marcus had just turned 18 and had been working with his father at the time of the accident. Marcus and another boy travelling in the car lost their lives.

There was a time later on when Marie and Frank broke up for a while. Marie moved to Pukekohe where her sister lived, and remembers “Frank couldn’t live without me”. He sold the family block at Maxwell and joined her. “Selling that block was huge,” Marie recalls. “It was a big move. Frank was born and bred in Whanganui, so leaving there was a big thing for him.”

Pukekohe proved to be a good move for Frank, as he found the work plentiful. People on lifestyle blocks with money to spend employed him for property fencing, and he did a lot of horse double fencing too, plus maintenance and engineering work.

Fieldays beginnings and competitive fencing

A visit to Fieldays in 1975 with Neville sparked an interest in competitive fencing. An oftheard saying is, ‘Watching won’t do anything for you’, and there were hard lessons in store for the brothers. After driving up that first time in Neville’s Chevy truck, True Blue, the brothers stood on the sidelines, confident they could take on the competitors and ‘kick their backsides’. That first attempt ended in a sobering outcome that had them retreating with tails between their legs. Undaunted, they swallowed their pride and returned year after year. Fieldays became the annual holiday. It was the only competition venue in the country at the time, and everyone wanted to have a go.

Frank entered the competitions every year from 1976 to 1988, appearing in two Golden Pliers finals with a best of third place, and five Silver Spade finals with a best placing of fourth, a notable achievement as he had a different partner each year.

Competitors often say, “That’s where you really learn to fence”, watching top-class fencers showcase their skills within a competitive environment that demands not only speed and skill but high-quality craftsmanship too. In those early years of Fieldays, many attended for that reason, to acquire knowledge, familiarise themselves with the high standard required, and to learn from champion fencers. For Frank, the learning curve was one he mastered and took into his own professional work. Partner those skills with his engineering background, and you had a recipe for perfection and fences that have lasted for 20-30 years plus.

Frank competed at Fieldays for a few years until giving up competition to judge the Golden Pliers event. He also judged at the regionals in Waverley, one of the longest running and largest events of the time. Frank’s sons competed there; however, he did not judge them.

Teaching, leadership, and national influence

Frank’s expertise, ability to share his knowledge and to nurture young talent saw him taking over the position of NZ Wire Chief Instructor from Bill Schuler in 1987. He was responsible for overseeing around 30 instructors nationwide, delivering courses in the many fencing training schools throughout the country.

The role required expertise in the technical aspects of fencing (for example, multi-strand wire, loadings, wind breaks) – an area in which Frank excelled – and, coupled with his work in the developing field of deer fencing, quarantine work, shelter belts, and horticulture. Frank is remembered by so many as a skilled educator and role model. Frank travelled extensively, holding demonstrations at fencing schools that were innovative for their time, popular, and well attended. Frank collaborated with the NZ Agricultural Engineering Institute to write the manual for the Master Fencer course (launched 1986/87, no longer active today), intended to offer fencers a qualification (NZ Wire Industries National Certificate in Fencing) additional to the Golden Pliers. In 2016, Frank was recognised for his training work, receiving a Lifetime Award from the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand.

Retirement, legacy, and final years

Frank retired at 79, working full-time right up to the day. Marie said it was “bull’s wool” to claim he was part-time because “… he was on call, worked full-time and most weekends if there was something going, because he loved fencing.” There was no shortage of jobs as Frank was so well known and respected for the quality of his fencing.

As Frank’s health deteriorated, moving home to Whanganui felt right. He enjoyed reading books, and a friend of Tracey’s would send down boxloads from Rotorua, making sure he was never short of a good selection. He also loved his phone, keeping up with the world news and happenings.

Frank and Marie were married for 64 years, and she remembers him saying to her, “I don’t think we’ll see our 65th.” Frank passed away at home on 28 September 2025, aged 84, surrounded by family.

Frank was proud of his work, and rightly so. Much of it has stood the test of time.  He made significant contributions to the development of fencing in New Zealand, both as an educator and a skilled and highly respected fencer, and leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire for years to come.

Written by Nick Liefting

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

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The Certificate in Fencing Level 3 course, delivered by NorthTec in collaboration with the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ), continues to provide valuable learning opportunities and strong outcomes for both students and the wider fencing industry.

As a tutor involved in this programme, I have seen first-hand the benefits it brings to participants, as well as some of the challenges that come with facilitating a blended learning model.

The course is designed to develop the practical skills and theoretical understanding required for safe and effective fencing practices. Within the programme, students complete unit standards in tractor safety and chainsaw operation, both of which are essential components of modern rural fencing work. These standards ensure that learners are competent in handling machinery and tools safely, meeting workplace health and safety expectations, and applying best practices in the field.

Another important part of the course covers fence design and compliance requirements. This section ensures that students understand not only how to construct a fence but also why certain standards exist. Topics include land types, soil conditions, animal containment requirements, and regional compliance factors. By understanding these principles, students gain the ability to design and construct fences that meet professional and legal standards, which adds real value to their employers and clients.

The course follows a blended learning format, combining online study with three practical block courses, each lasting three days. The online component allows students to complete theory work at their own pace, developing self-management and digital literacy skills. The block courses, on the other hand, provide valuable opportunities for hands-on learning under the guidance of industry experts.

During these practical sessions, students gain experience in wire joining techniques, netting, posting, footings, and the construction of various end systems, including stays. These workshops simulate real-world situations and allow students to apply their knowledge in a supportive and collaborative environment. Working alongside peers and tutors, they can problem-solve, refine their techniques, and learn from one another’s experiences.

From a tutor’s point of view, one of the more challenging aspects of this course is student motivation and time management, particularly regarding the completion of theory work and the submission of evidence. Because the online component requires students to upload photos and videos of their practical work, some learners struggle to stay on top of these requirements. For many, the online platform represents a new and unfamiliar way of learning. As a result, tutors often spend additional time chasing up work, providing reminders, and offering extra support to help students meet their deadlines.

This can have a flow-on effect on the rest of the class. When some students fall behind, it can delay group progress or affect the flow of feedback and marking. However, with consistent communication, encouragement, and flexibility, most learners are able to catch up and complete their assessments successfully. The process also helps them develop a greater sense of responsibility and independence — skills that are just as important as their practical abilities.

The benefits of this programme are clear and far-reaching. As students progress through the course, their efficiency and quality of workmanship improve noticeably. They become more confident in their decision-making and develop a stronger understanding of how to achieve professional standards in the field. For many, this increased confidence translates into better job performance, improved employment opportunities, and a stronger sense of pride in their trade.

Another significant advantage is that the course provides a clear pathway to the Certificate in Fencing Level 4 qualification. Many students choose to continue their studies, motivated by the sense of achievement gained from successfully completing Level 3. It is particularly rewarding to see learners who may have struggled academically in the past gain confidence through this qualification. For some, this is the first formal recognition of their abilities – a milestone that often reignites their interest in learning and personal development.

From an industry perspective, the Level 3 Fencing course contributes to raising overall standards within the fencing profession. By equipping workers with both theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, the course supports a more skilled, safety-conscious, and professional workforce. This benefits not only the participants but also the wider community and agricultural sector that depend on high-quality fencing.

While the Level 3 Fencing course presents some challenges in terms of learner motivation and assessment submission, the outcomes far outweigh the difficulties. As a tutor, it is incredibly satisfying to witness students grow in confidence, competence, and professionalism. The combination of practical training, online learning, and industry engagement ensures that graduates leave with valuable skills that will serve them well throughout their careers. The course not only strengthens individuals but also enhances the overall quality and reputation of New Zealand’s fencing industry.

Photo credit: Davies Fencing
Written by Doug Butcher, Tutor

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

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Some would say that Peter Preesman, the owner-operator of PKP Fencing, lives and breathes fencing and farming.

As a teenager, Peter began working on farms – milking, managing stock, and maintaining pasture quality. For a short time, he ventured into the construction industry, producing and engineering concrete products. He then decided to take the plunge into becoming an independent fencing contractor and, in 2022, started PKP Fencing, securing a few jobs in the Whangarei area through word of mouth. Those jobs allowed him to get his foot in the door and establish himself in the district.

Peter particularly loves the challenges of designing and building rural fences and stock yards – taking careful consideration of stock movements and behaviours, as well as maximising land use.

Working in Northland creates its own set of challenges with varying soil types, land uses, and most importantly, working around the ever-changing weather. Peter says the biggest balancing act is timing jobs around the ongoing wet season and how it can impact the way heavy machinery is used on a job site. “No client wants to have their pasture damaged, and I don’t want to deal with a stuck tractor.”

Stock yards project

One job Peter completed recently was custom designing and building stock yards for a customer’s lifestyle block. In Peter’s experience as a farmer, the priority was always animal welfare and having streamlined systems.

“When I was designing the stock yards, I prioritised having curved pens with no areas where cows could get blocked in, or gates that swung the wrong way, causing cows to have to back up and become stressed.”

The functionality of the gates also had to be designed to keep the farmer safe. “Not only do they need to open and close in a way that avoids anybody being crushed, but they also need to have strong enough latches to be fit for purpose.”

There were a number of subterranean obstacles on this job site, which also affected the layout of the yards. “Using the rock spike on my post rammer made short work of some of them, compared to the days of digging holes by hand and changing the plans one post hole at a time”

Working with the smallest livestock

Peter has also completed projects on lifestyle blocks where people farm goats, sheep, and chickens, where consideration needed to be had for the size of the animal and how that affects the design of the fence.

One property was a goat farm in a valley with very little flat ground to work with. All of the fences were seven-wire with wire placements being closer together on the lower half. The undulating land created spots where wire was either touching the ground, or gaps were created between the ground and the bottom wire. These fences had to be stepped out in specific sections to suit the contour of the land, yet still created a good-looking fence.

This property also had streams and waterways to work around. One part of the property was a swamp, so a digger had to be brought in for drainage. “I couldn’t put up a fence on swampy, unstable land, and the clients wanted that area to be usable.”

A post & rail challenge

In another memorable lifestyle fencing project, a client required a steep 50m hillside driveway to be fenced with post and rail. It had recently been cleared and was on the south-facing side of the hill.

“When I first looked at the job, it was the very beginning of Autumn, so conditions were still dry, and the job site looked reasonable. Unfortunately, weather conditions changed quickly, and by the time I got there to do the job, I was looking at a whole new set of challenges.”

The hillside was slick from being cleared, and there were not enough dry days between heavy rain, so getting tractor work done was a nail-biting experience. “Ideally, jobs like this would be saved for the summer, but that’s not how this industry works, and that’s part of what makes it so enjoyable,” said Peter.

Written by the team at PKP Fencing

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

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Lifestyle fencing is a game within its own, in my opinion. Clients dreaming of Yellowstone, but living with the reality of a much smaller ‘ranch’.

Our operations cover all aspects of fencing, and lifestyle is included in this. It’s not our main revenue stream, but we certainly do a fair amount each year.

I think it’s one of those sets, you either love it or just think, “Bugger that.” It’s usually a game of, “We need 10 paddocks; a set of yards for sheep and maybe two cows; a pig… yeah, probably a pig; a nice, railed entrance; and we have three troughs for water and need water in each paddock.” All on 5ha. Yip, too easy.

I find lifestyle jobs are unique and can really work the brain – with the clients trying to fit everything they require to make their holding work, to be efficient and user-friendly for both man and stock and fitting it all into 5ha, not into 500ha. Challenging, but so rewarding once it’s done.

Growing up in a family farming environment and living on 30 acres, I believe has helped me in this area of work. Balancing size, what’s really necessary for stock, and an understanding that it’s a huge outlay when broken down to a stock unit investment, and that it’s done for the love of it, not for the production.

Decisions and planning with the client are the most crucial part of this work. Finding out what stock they have, or are planning on having on their property, and stock numbers. This then leads you to work out what sort and size of yard facilities would be required, and an idea of the number of paddocks that would work effectively and efficiently.

In saying this though, you’ve still got to be thinking beyond the fence. Keeping good clear access to underground services in case they’re ever needed, and a water supply to each paddock, once complete. Then it’s onto drawing up a plan, making things fit and work, and discussing once again with the client to check if it’s meeting their needs and expectations.

Having a good understanding of the client’s budget and being on the ball with your pricing is the next big juggle. Open cheque book – you’re dreaming. Keep looking for those hens’ teeth buddy.

Sometimes the dream and plan are all there and achievable, but financially it may be restricted. We have had a few jobs like this, and by working with the clients, we have achieved their goal and dream. It may have taken longer to get there, but we got there. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a dream.

We have priced a job, and it was more  than expected – a lot of gates, with the clients not realising the cost of gates. So, we suggested, as the job was still some time off starting, that the client buy a gate a month until we start. They’d have four gates by the time we started, and that would be enough for the first few lines. Then we started by doing the internal fences to give the client control of the grazing. We came back in 12 months and did the road fence, the railings at the entrance, and the new pen in the yards. In the meantime, each month the client bought another gate, or four or eight lengths of timber, and put it away in the shed until we came back. The job was completed in two stages, but was still completed within 13 months – so the dream was achieved and cashflow managed for the client, when initially they were considering delaying it for a few years and making do.

Not all jobs are full set ups and developments, like any place there are always repairs, maintenance or replacement jobs. The same considerations need to be taken into account.

Thinking back to a job we did for a client – his son organised with us to come in while his parents were away overseas, to sort out their little block. They had about four muttons and 20 odd pigs, heavenly smells. They wanted to split a paddock in half, put in some actual gates to replace the netting and other things that were created as gates, repair some wires, and build a small pig pen and race.

It was a good, simple job to do and pretty straightforward. The thing about this job though, was the interesting things that were used to make gates – block holes and an old car as the side of the pig pen –were pretty well done. But the main thing that held this ranch together was the good old faithful cable tie. Not just a few, but thousands. Cable tie staples, cable tie wire, cable tie termination knots, cable tie nails, cable tie latches, cable tie gudgeons. You name it, the cable tie had it sorted. Very impressive.

I guess it doesn’t matter what job you’re doing – lifestyle, rural, or security – the principles are all the same. Client interaction, asking questions, planning, pricing, delivery, thinking beyond the fence and treating every job the same – providing a high-quality product to a client and striving to improve each job from the last.

All in all, I enjoy these jobs. You meet a huge array of people who are great to deal with, who all have a huge passion for their animals. Whether they are just some randoms to keep the grass down, or it’s Bubbles and Fluff Muff that were cute as lambs, then were meant to go to the white walls, and now the clients are 12 lambs deep and needing their grass in a protein shake – it’s what it’s all about.

Written by Ben Fisher

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

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