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Beattie Insulators – a household name

A farmer’s innovative solution for electric fence insulators more than 65 years ago went on to create a family legacy that remains strong today.

It was in 1958 at ‘The Haldons’ high country station in Seddon, Marlborough, that Doug Beattie embarked on his life-long innovation journey. The 3000-acre hill country farm he managed required extensive development, and Doug was up for the task.

A key component of hill country development is good fencing. Doug had ordered 1.5 miles of Barrier chain electric fencing that used a porcelain insulator top and bottom on a steel Waratah post, with a chain running between them. But there was a seven-month delivery time.

“This set Doug’s mind going – ‘There has to be a better way’,” Ivan Beattie, Doug’s son, told WIRED magazine.

With the dry Haldon Range hills, there had to be an earth return in the fence, which couldn’t be achieved effectively with the Barrier chain system.

After a number of prototype models, the resulting invention was a plastic insulator with two lugs that bolted onto a steel ‘Y’ post.

“Doug coined this the ‘alternate earth/electric fence system’, ” Ivan said, where livestock made contact with both an electric wire and earth wire creating a completed circuit.

With three young children and on a farm manager’s salary, Doug turned to the bank to fund the product, and after much badgering, managed to secure funding. A plastic injection mould was commissioned, and the patented Insulators were custom-manufactured in Christchurch.

The budget was to sell 100,000 units to pay off the die – however, in the first year 250,000 units were sold. This gave Doug the confidence to go on and produce a greater range of insulators, Ivan said.

He soon went on to patent the Pinlock Insulators that fitted both ‘Y’ and wooden posts, later lamenting when the patents ran out, that he hadn’t copyrighted the name Pinlock. Over his lifetime Doug took out over 35 patents.

The permanent and temporary insulators were the first Beattie insulators, and the permanent insulator was originally made from high-density plastic.

Doug had noticed in those early years the material in the permanent insulator was losing its black colour and becoming brittle, while the temporary insulator made from low-density polyethylene remained completely unchanged.

Temporary insulators have been on fences for over 65 years without any signs of deterioration. The permanent insulator has now been manufactured in low-density polyethylene for 55 years.

While Doug continued to manage The Haldons, fitting in a nationwide sales trip each year with his wife Dawn, the insulators were packed and distributed by Dawn’s parents from Christchurch.

In 1964, Doug and Dawn purchased a farm in Kaikoura, moving the packing and distribution part of the business to their new home.

Upon leaving school, their sons Ivan and Roger joined the business, helping with the odd sales trip and working on the farm. They were later joined by their sister Linda, helping Dawn in the office and packing.

With Beattie Insulators being run in conjunction with the farm, the development of any new products was thoroughly tested before being presented to the market.

“Doug’s catchphrase was ‘designed by farmers for farmers’,” Ivan said.

As Doug and Dawn became less hands-on in the business, Linda took over the management role and was later joined by her son Matthew in a sales and marketing position. Doug remained actively involved in developing new products.

After Doug’s death in 2014, brothers Ivan and Roger bought out Linda’s share in Beattie Insulators. With the efficiencies of manufacturing and distribution in the same location, the business was moved to a dedicated manufacturing and distribution site in Christchurch in 2017. Today, over 90 percent of Beattie products are manufactured in-house.
All Beattie products are manufactured in New Zealand.

“As Beattie Insulators have total control over the complete manufacturing process, we have the confidence of placing a 50-year guarantee on a permanent range of Insulators.”

Ivan is involved in the day-to-day running of the business and manufacturing, and Roger, along with farming and other business interests, is involved in strategy. With two farms on the Banks Peninsula, this makes it the ideal ground for testing new products.

“Actively running a farm helps Beattie Insulators ensure we have products that work in practice and last, proof of which time has shown,” Ivan said.

Roger’s son Andrew, an economist, has been assisting in the financial direction of the business, and Ivan’s son Hamish, a mechanical engineer, has helped at times in product design. Both Ivan and Roger’s daughters have also helped in the business while at university.

Ivan and Roger work closely together on the division of labour, supplying staff on contract to Beattie Insulators.

A big swing to automation in the manufacturing process and an efficient distribution process has meant that staffing numbers have been reduced, Ivan said.

“We now mainly employ part-time staff.”

Today, the company’s wide range of electric fence Insulators and electric fence products is impressive and includes unbreakable gate handles and other gate accessories, fence reels with unbreakable bobbins, underground cable, pigtail and wire outriggers, a large range of HotTape, HotWire and electric bungi, the original Sprong electric fence gateway for centre pivots and motorbikes. It also supplies the KG prill applicator for applying prills or granules in weed control.

Under ‘Beattie Plastics’, Ivan has acquired new state of the art equipment to manufacture the Beattie products.

Ivan and Roger aim to grow the business and develop new products, along with continuing the strong relationships they have built with farmers and fencing contractors over the years.

Article written by Rosa Watson

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

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Family fun on the fence line

The expression “You will never work a day in your life” rings true for David Swansson and his son Jordan. Combining farming with family fun on the fence line creates a typical successful Kiwi business model for the Swanssons.

David and his wife Janine, well supported by their parents, had been dairy farming for 30 years but decided it was time for a change in their business as grandchildren were on the horizon for their eldest daughter Sara and fiancé Josh. At just 15, Jordan, who found school unfulfilling, worked alongside David on their dairy farm. One wet rainy day, they realised they were more interested in fixing fences than milking cows. This sparked the decision to sell the dairy farm and launch Bang It Fencing. Since 2020, David and Jordan have been the driving forces behind this venture while also managing their drystock farm in the Tararua District.

David’s passion for fencing dates back to his youth when he left his cabinet-making job to spend 18 months on the fence line before committing to a successful dairy farming career. These early experiences instilled valuable skills and a long-held dream of owning a flash post rammer.

The duo forms a perfect team on the fence line, with attention to detail and efficiency being key aspects of their workmanship, along with a shared sense of fun and a lot of playful banter, creating a positive working environment. David takes pride in their strong relationship, which has naturally extended to include other family members. David’s daughter Anna and Jordan’s fiancée Emma have also contributed to the business, while Janine manages administrative tasks.

Fencing offers a fantastic opportunity for young people to start their own business. Despite rumours of a humorous rift, the timing is right for Jordan to forge his own path. David believes in empowering his son to create his own business rather than waiting to ‘have’ to take over an existing one. As David continues with Bang It Fencing, Jordan has this month launched Ridgetop Fencing with Emma, just as they prepare to welcome their first baby in December. Fencing provides the perfect versatile business for Jordan and Emma, with farming connections in both Tararua and Hunterville, where Emma’s family farms.

David and Jordan are very grateful to their local customers, who are central to their success. The fencing industry also fosters a strong sense of community, which Janine and David enjoy and embrace through their involvement with FCANZ and NZ Fencing Competitions. David is particularly proud to compete alongside Jordan at local fencing competitions, learning and growing their skills from the experience. Competing alongside other true fencing legends is a great privilege.

In May, David and Janine hosted 88 attendees at an FCANZ Best Practice Day on their property, featuring fencing legends Paul Van Beers and Tim Stafford. This event provided an invaluable opportunity for local fencers to come together, share knowledge, and learn new techniques. The day was humorously MC’d by John Noakes (Noksee), a local reminiscing about his youth in the area, now part of the land David and Janine purchased from Janine’s parents. Fencers and local farmers left with new insights and skills, further enriched by the support of sponsors and partners who enhance the fencing community.

In 2023, David and Jordan completed their Level 3 Certificate in Fencing. They gained essential fencing skills and knowledge, including important business aspects such as health and safety in their trade, while connecting with like-minded individuals.

Looking to the future, the family business model works well for David, especially as Anna prepares to head to university and will join him on the fence line. Meanwhile, Emma will support Jordan. Although David and Jordan will operate independently, the nature of fencing allows them to collaborate on projects as needed, maintaining their strong family ties and shared passion for their work.

David and Jordan’s relationship reflects a healthy dynamic between both men, important in any business, emphasising growth, learning, and family values while navigating their respective journeys in fencing and farming. When not having fun working on the fence line, David and Jordan enjoy the outdoors, hunting, fishing and diving.

Advice from David to Jordan (Dad to Son) as Jordan starts his own business.

  • Embrace independence: “Take the opportunity to build your own brand
    with Ridgetop Fencing. It’s important to carve out your own identity in the business world.”
  • Focus on learning: “Always be open to learning from every experience, whether it’s on the job or through competitions. The more you know, the better you’ll be, there’s always room for new knowledge and growth.”
  • Maintain relationships: “Value the connections you make in the community. They are your support network and can lead to future opportunities.”
  • Balance work and life: “As you step into this new role, remember to prioritise family and personal time, especially with the baby on the way.”

Written by Janine Swansson

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

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The Barnes family in machinery manufacturing

The Barnes family’s history of manufacturing farming and fencing equipment began in 1969 when Steve Barnes launched the ‘UFO Single’ Mower.

Due to its simplicity and durability, the UFO range of mowers became one of the most popular farm mowers in New Zealand history. In 1989, the Maxam mower range was born and led to the Barnes family selling two of their Manawatu farms to focus on manufacturing farm equipment.

The Barnes’s entered the Fencing industry when FencePro was purchased in 2009. At that time, FencePro was a small business, but one with innovative products and a desire to supply the New Zealand fencing industry with the best equipment. The attitude of innovation is what FencePro was founded on and has been continued by the Barnes family. Products like the RB800 180° Rotational base have enabled NZ farmers and fencing contractors to take their efficiency and capability to a new level.

Throughout the 2010s, the Barnes family continued to develop and manufacture the FencePro post driver range, leading to it becoming New Zealand’s No.1 post driver brand. These days, FencePro customers are looked after by Grant Barnes and long-time family friend, Tobi Currie.

In 2015, the family business changed names from Maxam Machinery to Farmgear Ltd with the vision to add more brands under the one ‘parent company’. This vision was realised in 2019 when Kinghitter and Hooper were added to the family of brands. Kinghitter was the first brand to introduce hydraulics into the post driver industry, which redefined post drivers as we know them today.

Whilst working on the family farm, Nick Barnes still clearly remembers; “The day Dad (Steve Barnes) came to the farm with a hydraulic top link to use on the banger – the farm manager and I thought we were made!” This would have been the case for many people when this new method was developed.

For over 45 years, Kinghitter has been known globally for its ‘tried and trusted post driver designs’ and continues to be a major player in the global post driver market. These days Kinghitter’s range of next-gen post drivers are exported all over the globe as farmers and fencing contractors seek to purchase quality NZ-made equipment.

The Barnes family business currently operates out of two Manufacturing facilities in Palmerston North and Feilding (Manawatu). The recent acquisition of Aitchison Seed drills and the continued manufacturing of Maxam, have enabled the business to be spread across multiple industries. This resilient business model is especially important in economically challenging times as it allows product development to continue and a high level of customer service to be achieved, even when other businesses are going to ground.

Steve Barnes’s three sons (Nick, Nathan & Grant) are still well involved in the running of the business. Nick in Operations, Nathan in Product Development and Grant in Sales. The third generation has been involved in the business for over 7 years, with Archie in Production, Jack in Sales, and Dallas in Marketing. The attitude of innovation and customer care which founded the business is still well engrained, with the company’s No.1 value being to “Put our customers front and centre”.

Working in a family business can have its challenges. One of these is maintaining a strong family relationship, especially when there are some tough decisions to be made. Being able to put aside disagreements and still be able to get together as a family is above all else. However, working together in a family business certainly has its benefits. Knowing each other so well enables us to have some robust conversations and draw on different people’s strengths to achieve outcomes that are best for our customers and the business.

As for the future, we will continue to innovate new products and improve our existing range, while providing the best customer service. These two principles are what the business was founded on, and have worked for the last 55 years. We don’t see that changing anytime soon. There are some very exciting projects in the pipeline, so keep an eye out!

Article written by Dallas Barnes

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

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Communication key to successful family business

In the heart of the Hawke’s Bay, NDP Fencing and Earthworks stands as a testament to hard work and family dedication.

Nigel Parkinson had been working in orchards since the young age of 16 and progressed throughout the years to working for corporates in managerial positions. “As I worked for corporate entities, I understood that when it comes to contracting, scale is key if you want to make a serious go of it,” he said.

He began his contracting business in 2002 and refocussed the business towards fencing in 2013.

Over time, he has expanded the enterprise, adding machinery and staff to keep pace with rising demand. The business now offers both earthmoving and fencing services, with a full-time staff of 14 and two fixed-term employees. They also subcontract staff for the wire crew season. It is a genuine family business with Nigel at the helm, his wife Deidre in the office, their 22-year-old son Angus a crew foreman and Deidre’s father Jim driving the transporter. The couple’s younger son James (19) is completing an engineering apprenticeship in Napier and may join the business at a later stage.

With the team’s age ranging from 16 to 77, the business tackles everything from conventional and commercial fencing to earthworks, including cutting out driveways and creating drainage systems. “It keeps things pretty interesting,” Nigel said. They service the Hawkes Bay area and travel as far as Gisborne for orchard development projects.

Deidre’s background as a legal executive and trust accountant brought a valuable skillset to the administrative side of the business when she joined her husband in 2021. “When I came into the business, Nigel had been doing that side of things for nearly 10 years, so I didn’t want to come in, take over and change everything,” she said. “As I learnt his processes, I just made small tweaks here and there and created new templates to streamline things a bit more.”

Deidre looks after vehicle servicing and registrations, marketing, invoicing, payroll and health and safety from their home office. “I also do material and fuel deliveries to the teams when required, and I hold our Transport Service Licence,” she said. “Nigel is out on the road a lot, and we come together two or three times a week to finalise invoicing and complete pricing and the like.”

A professional brand was also important to Deidre, and she facilitated a rebrand of the business to better reflect everything the company offered. “I like a clean, modern design. We pride ourselves on being a professional company to deal with, and I felt our brand needed to reflect that better,” she said.

The couple’s eldest son Angus has been fencing since he was 16, initially working during the school holidays, he has worked his way up and is now a crew foreman. When time and workload allow, Nigel will ask Angus to join him and learn some other facets of the business. “He’s been learning how to estimate jobs and organise teams, but I am very aware he is still bloody young, so I’m mindful not to overwhelm him,” Nigel said.

During a significant knee surgery, when both Nigel and Deidre were away, Angus took control, ensuring operations carried on without a hitch. “He organised the teams and transporter and the business continued running, which we were extremely grateful for, it took a lot of the pressure off Nigel,” Deidre said.

As the director, Nigel’s role is demanding. “I’m the guy that makes it all happen,” he laughed, Managing it all from client phone calls, quoting jobs, ordering gear and materials, dealing with staff, handling the odd breakdown and planning forward work for all five fencing crews, Nigel agrees it’s relentless but he admits he thrives on the challenge, “my phone is going all day, and I am all talked out come six o’clock, I am happy to sit down, watch the news and just say nothing for a good while”, he said.

The family enterprise is complemented by Deidre’s father, Jim Henderson, whose 77 years of wisdom makes him a valuable team member. “Some weeks Jim will do 10 hours, other weeks 30, it just depends on what’s going on. Being flexible to the workload is a huge asset to us,” Nigel said. Jim particularly enjoys working alongside his grandson Angus. “Dad is a bit of a gruff farmer type, he doesn’t show too much emotion, but you can tell when he works alongside him that he is super proud and enjoys every minute,” Deidre said.

Family dynamics do come with their own unique set of challenges, and with Angus and his partner living under the same roof as his parents, the family were mindful of keeping a balance between personal and work life. “When the day is over, we tend not to talk about work,” Deidre said. “It becomes all-consuming otherwise and very hard to switch off,” Nigel adds.

The key to working and living together is to have your own hobbies. Deidre’s is horse riding, and Nigel’s is his beloved modified XF Falcon. Deidre explains just how far back the couple go: “We grew up together and started going out at the age of 15. I know exactly what Nigel is thinking just by the look on his face,” she said, laughing.

With his father-in-law on the payroll, Nigel concedes there was a short settling-in period for Jim. “He was his own boss for a very long time and came from that old-school mindset where everyone should be tools in hand and on the job by 7am, so he found our morning toolbox meetings and health and safety briefings frustrating to begin with,” Nigel said. “He is coming around to it all now though, and these days when he’s being a bit of a grumpy old bugger, the crew will humour him and have a bit of banter,” Nigel laughed.

The couple’s advice for those entering a family business: “Make each member’s role clear, Deidre said. “Try not to overstep each other’s mark. Be open and talk about where the business is going and where you see it heading in the future, it’s important to listen to everyone’s ideas,” she said.

“In this day and age, it is extremely important for any business to be diverse in what they do – we have found diversification across a lot of industries has enabled our business to keep afloat in hard times, hence the range of services we offer, which means we are always busy in a number of sectors,” Nigel said.

Article written by Alice Scott

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

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Fencing in the family since 1975

Mitchpine has been supplying quality fencing products since 1975.

FCANZ’s newest Silver Partner, Mitchpine started when Keith Mitchell swapped a batten sawmill with the Oxnam family from Foxton in exchange for 230,000 fence battens. He then put his three sons to task and got them to complete the order.

“We were all keen to earn some extra money, so when Dad got the sawmill batten, he put us to work” said Grant Mitchell (Butch), Keith’s son and former owner of Mitchpine.

“He made a strong point to note that we were not to neglect any of our farm jobs.” Butch said.

Nearly 50 years later, Mitchpine has had three generations of Mitchell’s leading the business and has grown from Keith and his three sons to Lee Mitchell (the grandson) and a team of over 75.

One thing that has remained the same is the drive to offer the best products.

“I believe we have set the standard for quality products, over the years we have been driven to offer the best. To do this, we have made a huge investment in technology and equipment,” said Lee Mitchell, current Managing Director.

“We have imported equipment from all around the world to stay up to date with the latest technology. By investing in technology, not only do we get better products and the ability to use the right part of the tree for the right product, but we are also reducing waste and creating a safer workplace.

Things have changed a lot in the industry since 1975, and Mitchpine continues to evolve.

“We want to keep changing to meet demands, our team is currently working on a new roundwood mill, which we are excited to open next year to coincide with our 50th year in operation.” said Lee.

“We are proud to be a part of the fencing industry, an industry that plays an important part in New Zealand’s landscape.” says Lee.

Article supplied by: Mitchpine

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

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The right to disconnect

Does New Zealand Law protect unreasonable after hours contact?

The combination of technology and flexible working arrangements is enabling connection 24/7, leading to questions about the reasonableness of employer contact outside of an employee’s ordinary working hours. Australia has introduced new legislation enabling employees to refuse employer contact outside working hours. This has sparked a discussion about whether a similar law is necessary in New Zealand, or, whether sufficient protections are already in place to manage working hours from a health and safety, and employment law perspective.

Australia’s law – the ‘right to disconnect’

Last month, Australia passed legislation enabling eligible employees the right to refuse employer or third party contact outside of working hours, unless that refusal is unreasonable. [1] This includes an employee’s ability to ignore after hours calls, emails and/or text messages. Further, it restricts retributory conduct by an employer when an employee has refused unreasonable contact.

Any disputes over contact outside working hours requires discussion at the workplace level, then if unresolved, a dispute can be taken to the Fair Work Commission. Successful claims against employer’s continued contact outside working hours could result in fines of up to $18,000.

How will a reasonable right to refuse contact be determined?

In Australia, the following factors (which are not an exclusive list) may be taken into account in considering whether it
will be reasonable for an employee to refuse contact:

  • The reason for the contact. For example, an emergency with direct consequences for the employee will likely be reasonable;
  • The method of contact and the disruption it causes. For example, a late night phone call may be more disruption than an email close to the end of the working day and therefore less reasonable;
  • Whether the employee is provided additional compensation for being available or on call;
  • The nature of the employee’s role and level of responsibility, i.e. a senior employee with managerial responsibilities may be more reasonably contacted;
  • The employee’s personal circumstances including family or caring responsibilities.

Is the right to disconnect available in other parts of the world?

Australia’s new law is not unique. Many other countries have similar regulations or legislation around the right to disconnect. These include France, Belgium, Italy, Argentina, Chile, Luxembourg, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Ontario, and Ireland.

What are the implications for New Zealand employers on the international laws around the right to refuse employer contact?

New Zealand is not unique in reports of increased worker stress, burnout and wellbeing concerns, particularly post the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, in New Zealand, there is no explicit law providing employees (or workers generally) with a right to disconnect.

The international trend towards explicit legislative or regulatory protection raises the question of whether New Zealand is appropriately addressing concerns around an increase in remote / flexible working arrangements, and the creep in employee working hours through mobile technology use.

The Employers and Manufacturers Association has opposed legislation addressing the ‘right to disconnect’ from being introduced in New Zealand, on the basis that existing laws already appropriately address the risks and employees may simply ask employers to not be contacted after a designated time. The EMA also notes that persistent unreasonable contact can be addressed as workplace bullying or harassment.

When introducing new laws, an assessment of any impact on the design and structure of work will be undertaken, and any unintended consequences. This would likely include whether legislation would detrimentally impact the ~20% of the New Zealand workforce which report that they work after their usual hours of work.[2] Employers have raised concerns around productivity and collaboration in response to these law changes. This is particularly the case for those in fast-paced or client-facing environments, those dealing in international jurisdictions, and those who provide services which are often irregular in nature, such as trades and real estate.

Alongside protecting an employee’s wellbeing through the ability to disconnect from work and their availability to work, laws around the right to disconnect are designed to prevent employees from performing work which is unpaid.

There are broader implications that come from the creep of work into private lives of workers. New Zealand law does little to protect workers from privacy invasions and employer demands. For example, New Zealand has only generic privacy principles, and these allow employers the right to collect personal information about employees where this is necessary for a lawful purpose connected with the worker’s functions or activities, i.e. an employee may not know or explicitly consent to their data being collected, why, or who may receive it. There is not an explicit ban in New Zealand of collecting data on employees while they are not working. Accordingly, an employer may have access to technology that enables not only contact with an employee outside work, but also to track and record what they do in their time off.

Do New Zealand laws protect employees from unreasonable employer contact outside or working hours?

In New Zealand, the Health and Safety at Work Act places an obligation on employers to protect workers’ wellbeing and to take all reasonably practicable steps to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks. Accordingly, while not explicitly referencing a ‘right to disconnect’ which is now provided for in Australian law, New Zealand employers have an obligation to consider the health and safety impacts on employees of being connected to work outside their ordinary working hours, and to manage those risks.

Employer contact outside of work that is frequent, demanding and/or disruptive may be a psychological hazard, which may pose a risk to mental and psychological well-being and therefore employers have a duty to eliminate or minimise this.

Employers should be taking steps to structure work and contact expectations to minimise these risks. Practical tools are available to employers, for example, utilising restrictions for systems access or emails being sent/received during certain hours.

Alongside health and safety obligations, the Employment Relations Act requires that employers pay employees if they require availability outside their contracted hours. Further, if they require work outside their agreed hours, employees must be paid at least the minimum wage for any work performed.

While an employee may be compensated for availability by explicit inclusion within an employee’s salary, this must be paid on top of a wage.

New Zealand courts have previously considered the situation of care workers undertaking sleepover shifts at care facilities, and held that during these times where an employee is expected to be available to the employer, this may constitute work, requiring payment of at least the minimum wage.

Accordingly, when structuring work and considering whether an employee may be required to remain connected outside their ordinary working hours, employers need to be ensuring that they meet their statutory obligations for worker health and safety, and to pay reasonable compensation.

What should employers do?

Regardless of whether New Zealand introduces a new law addressing employer contact with employees out of working hours, employers should be proactively managing risks arising from ‘work creep’. This includes:

  • Considering what outside of work contact is needed/expected.
  • Considering how to minimise health and safety risks associated with connection outside working hours.
  • Where required, ensuring employment agreements have legally valid availability clauses, which clearly provide reasonable compensation.
  • Providing clear guidance around employer/employee expectations through employment agreements and/or workplace policies. For example – guidelines around after-hours work including limiting after hours emails, text messages and phone calls.
  • Fostering a workplace culture which sets healthy boundaries including respecting employee personal time.
  • Regularly reviewing employee working hours and work related contact that may be occurring outside of working hours together with the effectiveness of systems to manage the health and safety risks arising.
  • Regular review of annual leave to ensure employees are having reasonable opportunities to rest, recharge, pursue interests and time with friends and family.
  • Ensuring all working hours are reasonably compensated.

For further advice on managing employee wellbeing, health and safety, availability and fair pay, DTI Lawyers specialist employment lawyers are available by phone on 07 282 0174 or email

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

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Thriving through the summer A Guide to Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Work

As the summer months approach, it’s essential to focus on our wellbeing, especially when working longer hours. Here are some tips to help you stay healthy, safe, and energised during this busy season.

1. Sun Protection and Hydration

Working outdoors or even commuting in the summer heat can take a toll on your body. Here are some key tips to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated:

  • Wear sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Reapply every two hours, especially if you’re sweating.
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Aim for at least 8 glasses and more if you’re working in the heat.
  • Wear protective clothing: Light, long-sleeved shirts, hats, and sunglasses can help shield your skin from harmful UV rays.
  • Take breaks in the shade: Whenever possible, take your breaks in shaded or cool areas to give your body a chance to cool down.

2. Wellbeing in the run-up to Christmas

The period leading up to Christmas can be hectic, but it’s important to maintain your wellbeing:

  • Manage stress: Plan your tasks and set realistic goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Take time for relaxation and hobbies.
  • Healthy eating: With holiday treats everywhere, try to balance indulgences with healthy meals. Incorporate plenty of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet.
  • Stay active: Regular physical activity can boost your mood and energy levels. (Fencers are pretty active really.) Even a game of cricket or other sport with family in the breaks can make a difference.

3. Mental wellbeing tips

Maintaining mental wellbeing is crucial, especially during busy periods. Here are some tips to help you stay mentally healthy:

  • Mindfulness and meditation: Practice mindfulness or meditation to reduce stress and improve focus. Even a few minutes a day can make a big difference. (Thinking of fabulous fence lines is always good!)
  • Connect with others: Spend time with friends, family, or colleagues. Social connections can provide support and improve your mood.
  • Set boundaries: Ensure you have a good work-life balance. Set boundaries to avoid burnout and make time for activities you enjoy.
  • Seek support: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to seek support from a mental health professional or a trusted person in your life:

– Helplines 1737
– Lean On a Gate, Talk to a Mate
– Surfing for Farmers (if you are near the coast)
– Rural Support networks
– Or phone that friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.

4. Physical fitness and safety post-Christmas

After a well-deserved break, getting back to work can be challenging. Here are some tips to ease the transition:

  • Gradual return to activity: If you’ve taken a break from physical work, ease back into it gradually to avoid injuries. Start with lighter tasks and build up your strength.
  • Stretch and warm-up: Before starting your workday, take a few minutes to stretch and warm up your muscles. This can help prevent strains and sprains.
  • Safety first: Ensure that all safety protocols are followed, and use the proper equipment for your tasks. If you’re unsure about something, don’t hesitate to ask for guidance.

5. Tips for returning after the break

Getting back into work mode after a holiday can be tough. Here are some strategies to help you transition smoothly:

  • Plan ahead: Before your break ends, make a list of tasks to tackle when you return. This can help you hit the ground running.
  • Ease into your routine: Start with less demanding tasks to gradually get back into the swing of things. This can help you rebuild your momentum.
  • Stay organised: Keep a planner or digital calendar to manage your time effectively. Prioritise tasks and set realistic deadlines.
  • Take care of yourself: Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking breaks throughout the day. Self-care is crucial for maintaining productivity.

6. Ergonomic practices for outdoor labour

Maintaining good ergonomics is essential for preventing injuries and ensuring comfort while working outdoors. Here are some tips:

  • Lift properly: Use your legs, not your back, when lifting heavy objects. Keep the load close to your body and avoid twisting while lifting.
  • Use the right tools: Ensure that tools and equipment are the correct size and weight for the task. Use ergonomic tools designed to reduce strain.
  • Take regular breaks: Frequent breaks can help prevent fatigue and reduce the risk of injury. Use these breaks to stretch and hydrate.
  • Maintain good posture: Whether you’re standing, bending, or kneeling, try to maintain a neutral spine position. Avoid awkward postures and repetitive motions.
  • Wear supportive footwear: Choose boots with good arch support and cushioning to reduce strain on your feet and legs.

7. Preventing heat-related illnesses

Heat-related illnesses can be serious, but they are preventable. Here are some tips to stay safe in the heat:

  • Recognise the signs: Be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, and confusion. If you or a coworker experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
  • Stay cool: Use fans, cooling towels, or misting devices to help lower your body temperature. Take breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas whenever possible.
  • Hydrate regularly: Drink water frequently, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, as they can dehydrate you. Watch that V drink – too much sugar.
  • Acclimate to the heat: Gradually increase your exposure to hot conditions over a week or two to help your body adjust.
  • Wear light clothing: Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics that allow sweat to evaporate and cool your body.

Wishing you a wonderful festive season

By focusing on these aspects of wellbeing, you can enjoy a productive and healthy summer season. Remember, taking care of yourself is the first step to taking care of your work.

As we approach the festive season, we want to wish all our teams a wonderful Christmas and a joyful break. Whether you’re catching up with family and friends or simply recharging for the summer, we hope you have a fantastic time. Thank you for all your hard work this year, and we look forward to seeing you next year. Tight lines and happy holidays!

Stay safe, stay hydrated, and have a wonderful summer!

Deb and the team at Rural Safe

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

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Wiggy’s World – Walking away from the negative

Craig “Wiggy’ Wiggins talks wellbeing

There are many things – situations, events and people – that have an effect on our lives. A lot of these are positive,but there are plenty which are negative, that don’t complement our wellbeing.

We often get involved in things (causes, clubs, community) for the right reason – it’s at the right time at that moment in our life – but find after a while, these things start to develop a more negative path – draining us of the original passion or desire to be involved.

Sometimes, the fight it takes within us to stay involved is accelerated by confrontation that is taking place outside of our control, by someone or something that is really working against us. This creates a negative spiral, and can lead to bad decisions and confrontation, or worse still – an overwhelming, all-consuming thought process that puts us in a state of anxiety and stress.

It’s at this point we need to take a step back, breathe and give ourselves space to process how we are feeling, analyse what is driving the feelings we have, categorise the influence that’s causing the anxiety and then make a decision to improve the situation.

Once you step back, it can become clear as to what needs to happen. Firstly, ask and write down the answers to some simple questions:

  • Is this issue within my control or outside my control?
  • Is what I am involved in – that is causing an issue – going to compliment me and grow me? Or hold me back?
  • How important is the time I give this issue in comparison to my needs, and those who need my time, such as family and friends?
  • What are the pros and cons of staying in this space vs moving away?

The answers, if honest, will normally present the solution!

Recently, I was faced with this exact same scenario, and I think it’s important I ‘walk the talk’ when writing or speaking to others on their mental health, so to own and talk about my journey hopefully shows an honesty and connection to those who may need it.

Since I was 12 years old, I’ve been involved in a sport/industry as a club member, competitor, administrator, board member, coach and team manager, commentator, and public defender, and have faced many social media and personal attacks because of the roles I’ve been involved in. This involvement has led to many great opportunities for me personally, and had I been a bit more selfish, it would not have mattered when the people within the sport disrespected the efforts I took to grow it, foster the youth development and give many hours of what should have been family time to it. But I was wrapped up in it. To say it was my life was an understatement; it was who I was. Or was it what I do, not who I am?

This year I decided that the last part of my connection to this sport had become toxic; out of my control, was no longer a complement to my life – taking my time away from my family, and consuming my mind with negativity that was impacting my life.

How did I come to that decision? I asked the questions above, and the answer became clear! Move away and foster the positive, don’t enable the negative. Start devoting time to where my life seems to be heading or where the need for my work is taking me.

The result has been a weight off my shoulders, more family time, and not having to appease the agendas of others but instead foster my own agenda: to help develop and grow the Lean on a Gate campaign.

This has been a realisation of that simple fact: what we do is often not who we are. When the world throws rocks at us, it may be time to change path, as the world has a better or different plan for us that we may not know while stuck in a void of negativity.

The problem with my changes is that they are often public, due to the nature of my work, such as the roles with the Young Farmers competition, NZ Rodeo, The Farmers Weekly and other commentary work. However, I think we can care too much about public perception rather than the reason for change.

I read of a preacher who had been with a lot of people as they took their last breath. Never once had anyone asked for their trophies, awards and accolades, or their money and assets at the end of their life. They want only one thing; to be surrounded by the people that they love, the people that have supported them or they have supported, the positive influences they have had in their life or invested in.

Feed what’s positive and starve what’s not!

Written by Craig (Wiggy) Wiggins

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

You may also like: Wiggy’s World – September 2024

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Yards adding utility to mining ruins

In the heart of Central Otago, on State Highway 8, south of Alexandra, James Russell runs a fattening operation on a block down the road from Gorge Creek Station (GCS), his main farm.

Moving cattle back and forth from the home yards became a hassle that James wasn’t willing to continue dealing with from this second block. At the end of the day, the quicker you have cattle through the yards and back out on grass, the better from an ROI standpoint. Being a sharp operator, James saw the need for another, more central set of yards.

James was a bit hesitant when he saw the cost involved for a set of yards around the 100 head mark, before discovering Onefarm. James reached out to Onefarm, and we kicked things off with a site visit at the unique Roxburgh site. The old site, with existing mining-era ruins still present, required a fair bit of earth moving and tree removal to prepare the site for the new yards. Having to work around the existing ruins was a unique opportunity and made for a cool end result, very true to Central Otago. James was pleased to add utility to the site, which was otherwise dead space.

After the initial site visit, we overlaid our 120-head yard on the drone shot to show how the yard would sit on-site, how stock would flow into the yards, and how the loading ramp would be positioned to ensure ease of loading and stock truck access. Pleased with what he was seeing from a planning perspective, James wanted to see one of our Commercial yards in place to get a gauge on general quality, how our slam latches worked, and how our forcing circle worked. We had one over in South Otago which James viewed and concluded he was happy to proceed with the Commercial 120-head option. Now having used the forcing circle a few times, James had this to say:

“We love the forcing circle. We think the bent gates that line it are awesome now that we’ve work with them. We love how it’s a very safe system.”

As site works began with a bunch of trees being ripped out, James and Kieran decided to change the operation of the yard from left-hand to right-hand after changing their minds on how they would feed the yards and how holding pens would work. This isn’t very common; however, we were happy to adapt and make it work.

“We had a couple of adjustments we had to make on the fly, and you worked with us on that. So we found the whole service very dynamic and cohesive from site design plans to timely communication to the end result.”

James opted to concrete just the Working Area and fill the balance of the yards with Central Otago shingle. Rather than banging pegs in the ground for all panels and gates that lined the outer pens, James and his team poured concrete footings for all panels and gates, subsequently benefiting from the strength of bolting panels and gates to concrete. It’s a cost-effective and innovative solution that many of our customers are now considering.

James and Kieran no longer dread having to move stock for miles from one block back to their home yards. Instead, they love using their new steel system. When we spoke with James a few weeks ago, we asked how he was enjoying the yards, and he said:

“We used both our home yards and the new yards in the same day last week, and the difference was chalk and cheese! That big non-stock working area, that’s a bit of a luxury. Once you’ve had one, you wouldn’t go back!”

James set a budget for the project from the outset, which we committed to. Despite a few stock delays as a result of COVID shipping challenges, we delivered this project bang on budget. The price we agreed upon at the beginning was the price paid in the end. There were no overruns or extras added throughout that hadn’t been considered from the outset. At Onefarm, we pride ourselves on ensuring our proposals are complete from the beginning. We’re completely transparent about what is included and what isn’t before committing to a project. That way, there aren’t any surprises down the track.

This yard is situated just south of Alexandra on State Highway 8. If you’d like to have a look, please contact us.

Article supplied by: Onefarm

Published in WIRED issue 74/September 2024 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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Styx Battens prove a cost-effective alternative to wooden battens

The award-winning Styx Batten is designed and manufactured in New Zealand, and is a proven alternative to traditional wooden battens, metal lightning droppers or end-of-life insultimber battens.

The battens/droppers (depending on what part of the country you live in) are manufactured from a high-quality UV-resistant plastic material comprising 40% virgin and 60% repurposed plastic that won’t rot, splinter, or leach, like some treated timber products do and are completely recyclable at end of life which means no plastics destined for landfill.

Originally designed to take a wire diameter of 2.50mm and suit wire spacings from three to nine, the newly designed Styx Batten (due for market release in late August/early September 2024) can be customised to suit wires of 2.50mm, 4.00mm (number 8), and barbed wire. The 3.15mm diameter wire will be catered for later in the year. If the customer requires a 7-wire fence with the top wire barbed and the bottom wire number 8, then this can be done.

The Styx Battens are proving to be extraordinarily successful in retaining, or keeping out all types of livestock. Our customers enjoy the ease of installation, either by hand or with the Styx Batten installation tool for larger projects.

Farm fencing costs are front of mind for our customers. The Styx Batten eliminates the need for using barbed wire on the top and lower wires, which is often only used to stop wooden battens from moving along the fence line. The patented Styx Batten design not only stops the battens moving along the fence, but also allows individual wires to be restrained without pulling the battens/droppers out of alignment.

Barbed wire (75mm pitch x two strand 2.50mm soft) can cost upwards of $1.14 per linear metre compared to HT 2.50mm diameter wire costing around $0.19/m. Coupled with the extra labour costs of installing barbed wire versus smooth HT wire, the overall reduction costs per metre is a no brainer, especially with the Styx Batten not moving.

Staples are also not required as the Styx Battens are designed to interweave down through the wires, effectively creating a woven structure, whereby battens cannot be released from the fence by stock pressure. The removal of staples results in average savings of between $0.90 and $1.20 per batten depending on the type of staple used and based on using 10 staples on an 8-wire, 2.50mm high tensile fence whereby at least one of the 8 wires are double stapled.

Customer feedback on the product has also highlighted that less battens are used between the main support posts, and in some cases the main posts/waratahs are pushed further apart, resulting in more savings for customers through reduced driving costs and materials.

Freight costs also continue to escalate. The Styx Batten weighs only 0.315 kgs compared to a dry 50mm x 40mm wooden batten weighing 4.2 times the weight at 1.33kgs. Not only does this mean freight volumes and weights are down, but the batten is also lighter to carry and install on steep and difficult hill country and reduces the sprung weight on the fence wires. Every Styx Batten is identical, negating the need to sort and sift out wooden battens that may fail due to knots and splits by the fencing contractor or farmer before installation.

Attaching battens has a high labour component. Carrying equipment (stapleguns, staples, compressors, and extra insulators), and installing battens can often involve two people. One person can carry 50 battens easily and install a batten within 20-40 seconds by themselves. Fencers often say to us that not having enough time and labour can be a real issue for them. Anything that can utilise labour more effectively and efficiently must be an advantage.

On a recent project in North Canterbury, the customer, with financial support from the QEII National Trust, had removed old broken wooden battens and twisted lightning droppers, restrained the fence, added some insulators to the main posts for electrics and then installed 80 battens in under 2 hours – which included digging out the bottom wire that had been buried. All of this was conducted on extremely steep hill country that was too steep for vehicle access along most of the fence line.

Each batten has a tie down/anchor location at the bottom of the batten, which is useful for increased stock pressure and pulling the fence down into undulations or in flood fencing situations.

To complement the Styx batten/dropper, we manufacture a Styx Outrigger/Offset/Standoff which attaches seamlessly onto the batten without tools, in multiple positions, including back-to-back on the batten, or it can be nailed or screwed directly to wooden posts either horizontally or vertically.

No metal is used in our outrigger/offset (made from the same plastic as our battens) ensuring no electrical shorts. The outrigger includes multiple features for the attaching of wire, rope, or tape, and all can be electrified, the design of the features also reduces damage and breakage to wire, rope or polytape.

The outrigger is available in three lengths: 175mm, 300mm and 400mm. They are great for providing further defence against animals pushing up against the fence, and are popular:

  • for cattle and deer
  • the equine community due to the safe design and ease of use when using wide Polytape
  • bull farmers
  • positioned low on the fence for keeping sheep off the fence

Our customers have found that the Styx battens and outriggers are an extremely robust solution to other traditional materials. Both the batten/dropper and electric fence outrigger come with a limited 5-year warranty against breakage.

Styx Solutions also provides a range of New Zealand made and imported German-designed and manufactured AKO brand of fencing insulators, retractable gate kits, electric fence gate handles, Topline equine fencing wire & accessories, and a comprehensive range of electric fence solar energizers to suit all situations, ranging in size from 0.4 joules to 20 joules with a 5-year warranty on the power unit and solar panel.

A comprehensive range of New Zealand and German-made polywire, polytape and electric bungy cord is also available, with some 40mm wide polytape delivered with the lowest electrical resistance on the market and coupled with a 5-year
UV warranty.

Styx Solutions delivers to all parts of New Zealand and has sent products to Australia, Great Britain, the Falkland Islands, Canada, and a bit closer to home, the Chatham Islands.

Supplied by: Styx Solutions

Published in WIRED issue 74/September 2024 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ