News

Industry training is not always as easy as it sounds. One of the things we must constantly do as trainers is learn from our experience and strive for improvement. The Certificate of Fencing is no different.

The ongoing restructure of the training organisation that is happening behind the scenes at present, and Te Pukenga reverting back to the individual entities post-elections last year is making it all the more difficult to navigate.

Certificate in Fencing Level 3

One of the inherent problems I have found whilst coordinating the courses is the lack of self-help. Learners struggle to ask for help if they don’t know how to upload photos or videos of their evidence for both Level 3 and Level 4 courses. The tutors are there to aid with this, and I, as the coordinator, can also help with this. The sooner information is loaded into the system, the quicker we can result the courses.

Enrolments into this course have been slow. In order to maintain these courses so they are not lost, we need to have at least one in the North Island and one in the South Island annually. The minimum numbers to make a viable course sits around 10, however, we like to have 12 enrolled as inevitably a couple always withdraw.

Engagement and participation
Trainees need to keep engaged in their own learning and development. We now have more time allocated for trainers to run short online sessions once a week in the evenings to help trainees keep up with their program and form stronger trainer/trainee relationships. The block courses have been altered from 5 two-day practical sessions, to 3 three-day practical sessions, these can be less if the students are up to speed.

The overall enrolment for the courses has grown from 11 in the 2018 pilot to over 50 in the courses run towards the end of 2022 and into 2023. These numbers are dwindling. Across the three courses in Northland, Hawke’s Bay (which will likely be run in the Fielding area) and Christchurch – we have 20 enrolled, but I am struggling to get returned communication from the applicants and align a site or date to start the courses. In the Hawke’s Bay/Gisborne area, we have had people asking for a course there for four years, I just don’t have the uptake to roll one out viably.

Certificate in Fencing Level 4

Level 4 is very consistent in numbers, and we have had two courses run per year in 2023 and 2024, the next cohort is set up to start in February 2025. NorthTec is taking enrolments for this course now, so get your applications in.

The sessions are run online once a week in the evening with the tutor. The course is based on live examples of what you are working on within your, or your employer’s business.

The Level 4 assessment structure is being reviewed at present, and we are trying to tweak a couple of things to open it up to all sectors within the fencing industry, i.e. security and residential. Therefore, the outcomes will be the same but via different business scenarios. Watch this space.

Maintaining momentum
Having the support from the industry, and two-way communication between trainers, trainees and coordinators, will keep the momentum going. If people want courses in specific areas, we can arrange for that to happen, as long as we have at least 10 students to make the courses viable.

Apprenticeships
I am asked often about an Apprenticeship. The biggest issues in allowing fencing to be aligned to an apprenticeship are:

• Both courses have to be completely rebuilt to be Unit Standards rather than Achievement based – this is a 12-month process, minimum.
• Unit standards are a pass or fail. They do not reflect excellence at all.
• What often happens with apprenticeships is the student does the bare minimum to pass, therefore we lose the best practice standards we are aiming to achieve for the industry.
• It is very difficult to reflect a portfolio and evidence-based work for a unit standards based assessment.
• The skills standards framework is being done and will be the next big change – there is uncertainty as to what it will look like, other than it being an amalgamation of unit standards and achievement based assessment.
• The course would be ‘unified’ – giving all other Te Pukenga institutes the ability to grab it and run with it – the industry then has lost control! Unification is a core principle of Te Pukenga.
• ITOs would, at that point, want the course in their portfolio, and it would be run as profitably as possible.

Ongoing Certificate in Fencing course delivery:

• Improving course delivery will just happen, as long as tutors and students are sharing ideas and issues. If you have ideas, please share them.
• Many people don’t understand the work behind the scenes in compliance that needs to be done to run a course. Yes, much of this is what we consider ‘superfluous bullshit’. But it has to be done. The more times the course is run in the same locations, the easier it should become.
• It needs to be remembered that the course can always be ‘overtaught’ – if students/tutors feel something should be added to the course, it will be considered at the next formal review.
• We are unable to take any subject/assessment away from the course until a formal review is undertaken.

As the course stands now and going forward
Courses need more students. NorthTec is collating some ‘good news stories’ to highlight the benefits for employers to get their people trained. If the industry and course providers keep pushing and highlighting the advantages of the Certificate in Fencing qualification through advertising, it’ll happen.

Certified Fencers and Accredited Fencing Contractors will be advertised more and more, and as regulation in certain entities (particularly local government) becomes more prevalent, the more purpose these courses and processes will have.

Written by Donna Upton
National Course Coordinator

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

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Fencing remote pasture in hard-to-reach corners of farms has become easier with the launch of Gallagher’s MBS6500i energizer, which can function like a talking fence.

The powerful new energizer is a versatile three-in-one system capable of being powered by mains electricity, mains with battery backup, or off-grid with solar energy. Its design ensures durability in all weather conditions, keeping stock secure even in the most challenging environments.

The MBS6500i is designed to work in remote locations, from the back of large farms, to run-offs, and farms where connecting mains power to a fence line can be a challenge.

Gallagher Head of Animal Fencing Kelvin Wong says the system can act like a “talking fence” when paired with Fence Monitors and the i Series Energizer Remote and Fault Finder, used across the fencing system.

“Farmers essentially get a talking fence that they can monitor 24/7, even in the most remote locations on their farms,” he says.

“The total system gives farmers peace of mind, knowing what’s happening with their fence and that their stock is safely contained.”

Fence Monitors can be added at up to six strategic points along a fence line, and the MBS6500i comes complete with an LCD controller screen that conveniently displays the energizer’s performance and data from each Fence Monitor on the farm, says Kelvin.

The same data is also displayed on the handheld i Series Energizer Remote and Fault Finder.

“It makes fault repairs so much easier, and you can see how the energizer is performing to give you peace of mind the fence is performing, and your stock is controlled,” says Kelvin.

“With Fence Monitors installed, you can also isolate any areas where a fault occurs, rather than checking the entire fence line,” says Kelvin.

It also allows users to power off the energizer by simply holding the remote on the wire anywhere on the farm, without the need to go back to the energizer and turn it off.

These features are a significant time saver, especially when the fence is at the back of a large farm, in a hard-to-reach area, or many kilometres long, says Kelvin.

Designed for large-scale fencing, the MBS6500i can power up to 40 kilometres of multi-wire fencing under optimal conditions.

“This system enables farmers to fence remote areas without a direct main power source. With its solar power option, the energizer can operate efficiently in remote areas and, with the right number of batteries, can last up to a week even without sunlight,” says Kelvin.

Farmers who have tested the MBS6500i appreciate its reliability and how it creates a talking fence for their farms.
“Being able to see how the energizer is performing and power it off from wherever you are with the remote is such a time saver, particularly when you are finding and dealing with faults. The system helps you do it all with ease.”

Supplied by: Gallagher

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

The passion of youth keeps old men invigorated!

As I sit down to write this article, it’s pouring with rain, and a southerly has hit. I remember the days in Raetihi where growing up in the hills and rain was the norm and the passion for all things rural filled my mind: rodeo, hunting, working alongside men, and a pocket full of cash at the end of the week meant life was grand.

Last night while judging the FCANZ Emerging Talent Award, alongside Paul Van Beers and Justin Tilly, we all got to go back in time as we witnessed that same youthful passion in the three nominees. The same drive that we had as young men came out of the mouths of those we questioned, judged and deliberated on.

The outcome will be known by the time this goes to print, but what the industry won’t know is the incredibly hard job we had separating the nominees: Kalani Snooks, Murray Graham and Galen Monks. They are a credit to the industry and together are the rising tide that will lift all ships. To have staff like these is a credit to the contractors that have trained them and the NorthTec industry training programmes that Donna Upton works so hard to organise and Justin facilitates.

I spent eight years as Manager/Coach of the New Zealand Rodeo High School programme and, with the help of my (recently passed) friend Ross Ford from Australia, we developed a Trans-Tasman contest and development programme. Ross and I worked tirelessly on this, with a few cuts in our hides along the way. We knew what we were doing meant the world to the young people. We travelled to each other’s countries. We watched them develop into adults taking their own paths in life, and that has been the most rewarding part of my rodeo career.

To see NZ rodeo youth competing in America this past month at the World College and High School Finals is what Ross and I wanted as an end goal for our country’s rodeo youth. It made this old man proud but tinged with sadness that Ross didn’t get to see it.

As I write this, I realise I’m driven to show youth the same help many an older generation showed me in my youth growing up in Raetihi. It’s an investment I hope I pay back to them for as long as I can.

The ultimate opportunity to be involved in and experience the growth of rural youth was when I was asked to host the Young Farmer of the Year Contest. Forty-six regional finals and six grand finals around every rural region in this country meant I witnessed the passion, the emotion and the joy that this contest created in the contestants, the organisers and often the parents and families who travelled miles in support. Again, I see those young people travelling well in their own lives; some are now politicians, industry leaders, and many others honoured for their work.

In the last three years, I have been the Chair of a school board that has so many layers of compliance, staff management, public scrutiny and parental management that it’s a minefield of anxiety and stress, with many who sign up for the role leaving as soon as possible. But again, the reason for being involved is the youth. The treasure of unknown potential, the passion of life, the ability to support and develop the needs of all, from the gifted to the challenged, and knowing that one day the investment will return or be paid forward. If not by all, by some that have understood the journey. The cuts in the hide from this space scar deep, but the results of the mahi heal most wounds.

Recently I was contacted by a young farmer who was struggling with life, feeling isolated and not in the best of thoughts. As we celebrate those who go forward, we must also catch those who fall back! I’ve seen so much success in the people who have travelled the harder roads, so that’s where my life spends a lot of time now. The ‘Lean on a Gate’ campaign works not only for those in need but also for those who are trucking along well. The reassurance of knowing what you do matters, and the telling of your stories, good or bad, makes us human; it gives us connections and can lift those in need or simply reassure the person who seeks positive affirmation. But equally, it fills the cup of those who invest the time to give support.

Passion is something we can lose as we grow older; the reason we get out of bed in the morning, the work we do and the relationships we are in. Take a word of advice from me: the passion of youth is infectious, and it will keep an old man alive!

Written by Craig (Wiggy) Wiggins

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

 

A demanding job with tricky bluffs and steep terrain was made even more challenging with continual wet weather disruptions for the Gisborne-based Fisher Fencing Matawai team. But getting in the right gear and some good old-fashioned ingenuity got the job done.

Owner Ben Fisher was approached by the client to do a secondary quote for a QEII National Trust (‘QEII’) project she was planning on her property near Otoko.

“She had funding for plants and was working with QEII for funding to fence the area off,” Ben explains.

The job was approximately one kilometre of new deer fencing with two small top-up sections around the house.

“One being a top-up of three wires and the other of two additional railings to increase the height of the original fencing.”

The quote was accepted for the project and plans were made for a start date as it could be worked in and around jobs.

As trees were ordered and funding needed to be used, it became “a bit of a priority job”, Ben said.

Gear was ordered to arrive before the start date, which was planned for the end of April/start of May.

However, the weather did not cooperate, and the team managed to get started on 24 May.

Ben was joined on the job by Allan Spice, Bus Sterk, and Jaime Johnson, with the Komatsu D37 bulldozer creating access to the site and blading the lines ready for fencing.

There were challenges finding the best line around boulders, Ben said, dodging tomos and working with a couple of springs at the base of the hill that needed channelling through the fence line.

Two steeper bluff sections at either end of the hill meant the team was unable to blade the entire line.

“But we could access the top of the ridge from a track further around the road. Once on top, it was a nice easy line along the ridge.”

Once bulldozing was complete and the materials laid, they got started with the 360m line along the ridgetop to stockproof the adjoining paddock. This was completed in two days – and then the rain came again.

“This held us up for a few days, so off to tidy up a couple of small jobs elsewhere.”

The weather cleared and they were back into it again with a couple of days thumping posts where they could, the wet ground limiting progress.

“The spades came out and the remaining posts up the steeper sections were dug in.”

Then rain came again, halting progress for another few days.

When the weather cleared again, the ground was still wet and saturated, and a day was spent on the top-up sections of the job.

The decision was made to purchase a set of Kyne tractor spikes to get the job done. A netting rig for the front of the tractor had already been built about two years earlier.

“So, a mad dash to Pahiatua was done to collect [the tractor spikes] and then home to install and hopefully get the last 500 metres of netting out and sorted.”

With this all done, the last stretch was the fencing of the bluff at either end of the ridge.

“For this, we decided to swap out the netting and do a 13-wire and batten fence due to the conditions and terrain.
“One end was easier than the other; we were able to post where possible to get a line down the 50-metre section. The shorter line of about 30 metres took a lot more thinking and ingenuity.”

Steel brackets were made and 4×2 timber bolted to them as posts. These were then bolted to the rock and used as the rise posts.

For the foots, plates were bolted with an eyelet to the rock with a chain D-shackled to it and the wires fed through the chain.

“This was best as if we had done the 4×2 and bracket, we wouldn’t have been able to staple the top wires off. But with this, as we strained the wires, the chain lifted to height.”

The job was finally completed on 11 July. In total it took seven weeks to get 12 days’ work done.
“Bloody rain.”

Written by Rosa Watson

 

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

It’s not easy hosting the prestigious National Fencing Competitions every year.
The team at NZ Fencing Competitions does an incredible job, with the following being just a small insight into the precision planning and dedication of the voluntary judges and committee.

Monday 10th June, 7.00am: the gate to Yellow Car Park at Mystery Creek is unlocked. It’s heats day; fencers drive their loaded Utes in, eager and hoping that by the end of this crucial day, they have achieved a place in the prestigious Golden Pliers® by WIREMARK® Singles and/or Fieldays® Silver Spades™ Doubles competitions, held at the end of the week.

The caravan is in place, fence lines are laid, and the food tent is up – the chief judge and his crew of helpers have been preparing since Friday. Fencing judges have attended their meeting the afternoon before; everyone is ready to go, the weather just needs to hold. Fingers crossed.

There are 24 singles heats entries, with 15 teams for the doubles heats, featuring many familiar faces and a number of newcomers, including a team from the South Island and the USA. A big day of judging is ahead.

Today, the difficult task of competing for a place in the finals is performed, with eight fence lines available in the Golden Pliers® by WIREMARK® Singles final, and space for six teams in the Fieldays® Silver Spades™ Doubles final. There is automatic entry for the teams from the South Island (Craig Sinclair and William Pei) and the USA (Jason Day and Alexander Masser).

6pm: The gate is locked, the heats are done and the finalists have been notified. It will be another full day tomorrow, pulling the fence lines down and moving everything to the fencing site at the Fieldays.

Wednesday 12th June

7.00am: The site is looking great, all laid out for its week of fencing. The WIREMARK® tent is centrally placed, where sponsors, judges, fencers and their families will gather to eat and catch up.

8.30am: The Fieldays Silver Staples competition commences with two cadet teams entered from Smedley Station, Geraldine High School and Pukemiro Station.

9.00am: The Bill Schuler competition kicks off; a consolation round for six of the singles fencers from the heats, who have missed qualifying for the Golden Pliers.

Anchoring for the week are Craig Wiggins and Craig Graham, whose information and knowledge abound over the microphone during the competitions, amusing spectators and setting the tone.

4.00pm: The WIREMARK® tent is full as we hold the Silver Staples prize giving. Congratulations to Smedley Station’s Bradley Anderson and Cameron Chambers. The Bill Schuler contestants have to wait until Friday.

Thursday 13th June

7.00am: Eight finalists are setting up for the event of the week, the prestigious Golden Pliers® by WIREMARK® Singles Competition. Borers roar to life at 8:04am, with a marathon of fencing ahead – the competition is capped at 6.5 hours to finish. A generous crowd of spectators gathers over the day to witness the physical and mental effort of the fencers to build a quality fence in the fastest time.

Line 5 calls time first at 1:24pm, finishing in 5h:20m:06s. A time penalty of 1 point per 2 minutes is now on the mind of the remaining contestants.

7.00pm: In the caravan, the result reveals only slightly more than half a point difference between first and second place. There is much double and triple-checking to ensure that nothing has been missed!

Friday 14th June

7.00am:  It looks like the task of building a deer fence for the Fieldays® Silver Spades™ teams is going to be done in the rain! The teams from the South Island and the USA are about to compete at their first ever NZ National Fieldays Fencing competition, they are unknown adversaries for the other qualifiers.

Comments are heard from spectators nearby; they are pleased to see the challenge of building a 2.1 metre high netting fence again. This style of fence was last built at the 2004 Fieldays® Silver Spades™ competition. The rain eases a little as the judges begin their task, some armed with waterproof paper!

There are busy times in the caravan finalising results and preparing for the main prizegiving in the pavilion at 5pm. Fencers disappear to the showers and return, smart in their Golden Pliers Jackets, displaying badges showing years of participation and their wins. New finalist Cameron Hamerton will receive his jacket and first badge today, with hopefully many more to come, and always the potential for a win on the horizon.

Congratulations to Tim Garrick for winning his first Golden Pliers® by WIREMARK® Championship. Tim also collected the Fieldays® Silver Spades™ Doubles Championship trophy with partner Cory Twigley. The Bill Schuler trophy was lifted by Michael Trott.

It was another superb week showcasing New Zealand’s unequalled fencing prowess. There had been huge organisation and input behind the scenes for this to happen, and our grateful thanks go to all who are involved, including Leanne Stanger, Joeline Bouskill and Debbie White.

The Judges team comprised of Chief Judge Owen Peterson, Craig Shortall, Paul Van Beers, Warren Herlihy, Mark Lambert, Shane Tilson, Campbell Bryce, Wayne Newdick, Nick Liefting, Colin Brown, Owen Petersen and Kim Petersen. Technical Judges comprised Richard Broughton, Craig Graham, Cambell Clark, Pete Anderson, Victoria Power and
Marty Hepburn.

A special mention to our sponsors WIREMARK®, Goldpine, Cyclone, Stockade, Stihl, Strainrite, Steel & Tube/Hurricane, Revolution Postdrivers and FCANZ, without whom there would be no event!

COMPETITION FINAL RESULTS 2024

Golden Pliers® Singles Championship by WIREMARK®
1st Tim Garrick
2nd Jeff Joines
3rd Cory Twigley
4th Tony Bouskill
5th Shay Robertson
6th Jared Nicholson
7th Cameron Hamerton
8th Wilton Weeks
Best Quality: Tony Bouskill
Nick Liefting First Off The Line Trophy: Tim Garrick

Fieldays® Silver Spades™ Doubles Championship
1st Tim Garrick & Cory Twigley
2nd Shane Bouskill & Tony Bouskill
3rd Jeff Joines & Craig Smith
4th Shay Robertson & Cameron Hamerton
5th Wilton Weeks & Burne Maxted
6th Martin Leveridge & Troy Brooky
7th Craig Sinclair & William Pei (South Island Team)
8th Jason Day & Alexander Masser (US Team)

Bill Schuler
1st Micheal Trott
2nd Craig Sinclair
3rd Murray Graham
4th Troy Brooky
5th Tom Dingle
6th Burne Maxted
Best First Year: Craig Sinclair
Best Second Year: Cameron Hamerton

Fieldays® Silver Staples Cadet competition
1st Bradley Anderson/Cameron Chambers (Smedley Station 1)
2nd Thomas Batty/Lachie O’Connell (Geraldine High School 1)
3rd Jackson Marriott/Cullen Gordon-Wilson (Geraldine High School 2)
4th Ryan Craw/Holly Bird (Pukemiro Station 1)
5th Harry Peacock/Ben Solomann (Pukemiro Station 2)
6th Jordan Miles/Angus Kopua (Smedley Station 2)

Written by Kim Petersen
Photos reproduced with permission of NZ Fencing Competitions

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

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Fencing Solutions Waikato (FSW) were recently contracted by Livingstone Builders to build a retaining wall on two sides of the new McDonald’s restaurant in Mt Wellington.

One thing that you learn quickly, being from the Waikato, is that place names that start with ‘Mount’ usually have something volcanic about them. This job was no exception.

The retaining wall was going to end at 2-3m high, so the poles needed to be 3 metres in the ground. Logistically, this was going to be difficult to say the least, as the site was previously a commercial yard with many layers of metal and volcanic rock.

The holes were either bored or dug with a digger. The holes for the poles were to be 600mm round and 1.2m apart, and as the holes were prone to cave-ins, every second pole was concreted in before the pole in the middle could be dug. As the ground was metal, cave-ins were an everyday occurrence. If there was water in the hole, a trash pump was used to clear the hole before concrete could be pumped in.

Finally, with all 65 poles in place, it was time to put on the timber. 6m lengths of 150mm x 75mm timber rails are heavy to manoeuvre, often being winched into place. The day the last rail was installed was definitely a welcomed sight.
In the end, the scheduled 18 cubic metres of concrete escalated to 32 cubes, so I can safely say that those poles are not going to fall down. Once the wall was backfilled, and the poles architecturally cut to the finished height, a timber handrail was installed with 40mm vertical pickets.

Written by Todd Sherburd – Fencing Solutions Waikato

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

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It was late winter 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere when we had a visit from Stu Tyler from Strainrite Fencing Systems, and over what would turn out to be more than a few beers at our kitchen table, Stu started pressing for an answer as to why I hadn’t visited New Zealand for a bit of hands-on fencing education.

I didn’t have an answer for him. I suppose I did, but not an acceptable one, and it was a bit embarrassing. He called my bluff. So, as soon as we got him back on the plane headed home, I booked my tickets for a few weeks’ visit in New Zealand, including the full week of Mystery Creek Fieldays and the Golden Pliers® / Silver Spades™ NZ Fencing Championships. Simply put, I had no idea what treasures were ahead.

After a mostly uneventful journey and re-creation of the kitchen table scene previously mentioned, day two of my trip found me in the left seat of Hugh Morrison’s infamous Ram, where we made good time going to meet Jeff Joines on a security fencing project he was just wrapping up.

It was fantastic to finally meet the man behind all of the (nearly) viral YouTube videos. As anyone who knows him will attest, we spent plenty of time laughing on that journey!

The remainder of that trip was filled with the Mystery Creek Fieldays, with most of my time spent soaking up all of the knowledge I could from the best fencers in the world. Having the opportunity to meet legends like Wayne Newdick, Shane Bouskill, Paul Van Beers and Owen Peterson, as well as the current stable of young guns who are turning the fencing world on its ear, is something I never dreamed I’d experience. If you had told me how the next year would play out, I’d have called you a liar.

We were fortunate to have Hugh and Craig Wiggins (‘Wiggy’) over for our Fall Fence Forum in October 2023, and the reception was overwhelming with the attendees. They both did a fantastic job helping American fencers learn some new Kiwi fencing techniques, and they certainly made many new friends in the process.

In our fencing comps, we see great value in our international competitors. It is purely from a selfish standpoint, as we take way more than we give, but after some discussion with those fencers, I thought that it made good sense to try and enter a few competitions abroad and bring what I learn back to the fence line at home.

This led to another visit to New Zealand in February, and entries in the Taumarunui competition with Wayne Newdick and the Waimumu competition with Donald Cornwall. Boy, was I in for a learning experience!

Wayne did his best to prepare me for my first NZ fencing competition, and I think all he needed was a better student! I made the same mistake that we had spent the most time learning how NOT to make, and this cost us 20 points in the process. But that’s just the thing about fencing competitions that makes them so valuable, in my opinion.

It’s the place where you will never be under more pressure to do the job right and fast, but at the same time has very little in the way of real world consequences, and that translates to the perfect practice pitch. The South Island competition was something brand new for Donald and I.

Rabbit netting isn’t something either of us had ever done, so it was quite an entertaining challenge. I had to call Mark Evans in England for some advice on that one! It was really neat to see how many different styles there were across the field of competitors, and just how tidy some of them were with their netting terminations was amazing.

The time between those two comps is really where I got my first taste of Kiwi hospitality, where I was made welcome at every place we stopped…not only on fence lines, but in fencer’s homes as well. On that drive from Auckland to Waimumu, we called in on what seemed like every fencer in New Zealand.

Mack Rennie graciously set me up with a gearbox, Wayne and Kathy Newdick made me feel at home, Shane and Joelene Bouskill made sure I was never hungry or thirsty, Wiggy teed up a jet boat ride up the gorge, Donald and Christine Cornwall made me feel at home on their farm, and the list goes on. As I get a little older, it becomes more evident that I may occasionally use fencing as an excuse to visit my friends, and it’s because of the amazing hospitality in this community.

Our most recent visit was for the 2024 Golden Pliers/Silver Spades competitions, and that was a whole new level of learning curve! I was able to get in some training days with Jeff Joines, Shane Bouskill, and Jared Nicholson who was also kind enough to enter the heats with me.

Until you get in the mix yourself, you really have no idea what it takes to compete with these guys who make the finals. All of the fiddly little bits that add up to a pile of points, the tricks to do a faster job without giving up the quality, and having the endurance to do it at a sprint are things we can learn and train ourselves to do if we are willing to put in the time and effort. I can’t wait until the next opportunity to try it again and I surely will walk away with another bucket full of tips and tricks from the masters of the game.

I would like to give a special thank you to Hugh Morrison. Without his efforts, there would not be nearly as open a channel as there is for fencers to connect. If you need to know something, he always knows the person with the answer.
I would also like to thank my wife, Leslie, for all her hard work and for taking care of things at home when I’m away. Our last visit was extra special for me because my daughter was able to join me. I am always a little nervous to over promise and under deliver, but you did not disappoint! Thank you to everyone who took the time to make Kate’s visit very special. It was just awesome to be able to include her.

Finally, I would like to say how thankful I am for resources like FCANZ and NZFC. As a strictly agricultural fencer, I’ve always felt more at home as a member of FCANZ than any of our domestic associations. It takes a ton of work to run a quality organisation, and that doesn’t go without notice.

The effort it takes from the organisers and judges to run the fencing competitions far exceeds what it takes to compete; you are all legends. It was fantastic to see the fencers handle the teardown at Mystery Creek this year, and to have that money go right back into making a better future is just awesome.

I’d also like to say that it was nice to see three father/daughter duos on teardown day. I am looking forward to our next opportunity to visit, and I hope to see some familiar faces visiting us soon as well!

Article written by Luke Gibson

Overall, my experience in New Zealand was amazing. It was an unforgettable experience for sure, the country is beautiful, everyone I met was super nice and friendly.
I learned so many new things about fencing and about the country! Thank you to all the people who let me spend time with them, and for teaching me very valuable things. I hope to visit again next year. This was one of the best experiences of my life because of the people, thank you for giving me some of your time (especially Izzy Joines, Hugh Morrison and Shane Bouskill)!
Kate

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

Fencing Solutions Waikato (FSW) often receives interesting and difficult projects to undertake. We were approached by a company who manages, supplies and installs racking in commercial buildings, to deliver a 14-metre high chainlink fence, which would extend from the floor to the ceiling apex.

The posts were galvanised 50mm Nominal Bore (NB). Joining two lengths of 6.5m provided us with 13m, and this enabled us to get within 1 metre of the apex. The mesh also needed to be secured to the steel rafters to create an impenetrable barrier. This new warehouse is where Soudal manufactures and stores product. The containment area is where pressurised aerosol cans will be stored. If they exploded, they would not turn into a missile that could cause further damage or injury.

There was a requirement to complete an Elevated Work Platform (EWP) course for health and safety, as all working at height needed to be compliant. It did take a bit of getting used to working at this height on a scissor lift and being that far off the ground. Even so, the EWP swayed.

The pipes were wound together on the ground and the foots secured – a special tool was made to secure these tight. The framework was clamped in place. Brackets were adapted to attach to the posts and the racking, which eliminated the need for any onsite welding.

A cradle was made to manage the heavy rolls of 3.15mm x 2.7m wide x 14m long rolls of galvanised netting so they could be unrolled from the ground up, like hanging wallpaper. Those hanging in place were stitched together with 2mm lacing wire. Each line was 38 metres. Two lines of fence overlapped with a return, which meant that gates were not needed.

In the meantime, the perimeter of the building was fenced with 2.1m high spear top fence, supplied by Modern Fence Supplies. Gates were manufactured in the FSW workshop and transported to site in one piece. There is a Key Automation gate system fitted. The site is secured 24/7 and access is controlled with exit loops fitted for gates to automatically open when leaving the site.

Written by Todd Sherburd – Fencing Solutions Waikato

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

Building a one-kilometre, all-steel fenceline in a steep gully without vehicle access was a challenging but ultimately rewarding job for Canterbury-based Ward Fencing.

In early February, they took on the job located near Fairlie, putting up a one-kilometre steel fence starting on top of a main ridge line and heading down a very steep gully, towards the main creek.

The line was cut by a “very ballsy” dozer operator who had managed to get up around the top of another basin to get onto the line, owner Simon Ward told WIRED.

The fence used Number 8 on the bottom wire and 2.5mm for the other six wires.

Five-foot steel waratahs were used as the run posts and steel Waratah MaxYs for the angles and terminations.
The job had limited four-wheel drive access to the bottom of the line, and foot-only access to the top of the line, which was 1.8km along the main ridge.

“Our good mate Ben Smith, and his son Mac, went out onto the line and packed the gear into three bundles to be lifted on to the line with a helicopter,” Simon explained.

The pair spent a couple of days spreading the gear out down the line for the Ward Fencing team to start building the fence, saving valuable time.

Accommodation was provided on the station, which was about a 40 to 45-minute drive up onto the top of the ridge. Each day, the team of Simon, Ben Smith, and Reece Valois would be dropped off by the client at the end of the station track and walk in to the line with the gear needed for the day.

Being a good walk into the line, and with no easy way back to base, extra caution was placed on making sure they had everything they needed, Simon said, as well as spare gear in case of breakdowns, fuel generators, a rock drill, and plenty of water for the hot conditions.

The line had six corners, done in four strains.

“We reckon we sunk about 300 Waratahs in, including all tie-downs and tie-backs for angles/terminations, and we reckoned of the 300 there would have only been 30 to 40 that didn’t have to be drilled. It was chewy going.”

Nathan Monk of Monk Fencing in Tekapo lent his rock drill and generator for the job, which was hugely appreciated.
The line took roughly 45 hours to build and was charged out on a per hour basis to factor in drilling and other machine work.

“The line took a massive effort from everyone. A lot of gear had to be carried on to the line and the steep grade, loose terrain, and heat played a factor, but it was bloody good fun and we loved it.

The client had been hugely helpful in providing accommodation, dropping the team on the line and providing a vehicle at the bottom, Simon said.

“(It) was a massive time-saver.”

Time had also been saved with Ben and Mac starting the line earlier, laying out
the bundles.

Simon said it was crucial to be organised with a good plan in place for materials, tools, a checklist in place, and being proactive with batteries, fuel and other items.

“We had bloody good fun on this line and we were stoked with how it came up.

“It was tough going and a bloody tough challenge, a lot of blood and sweat was lost, and some character was built.

“What a wicked spot to work and not a bad spot to appreciate over the lunch hour.”

While it was very different from most fence lines, the actual building of the fence and the ideology was the same, Simon said.

“The steepness of the line, the heat, and the logistics of getting gear organised and out onto such a remote line added another element that made it quite different.”

He said efficiency on the line was vital with no vehicle to drive up and down the line.

“Being so steep, we couldn’t afford to be walking up and down it all day to check something, grab some gear or tools, or head back to the top for so much as a drink bottle. So, we did our best to have it mainly built in one pass.”

Written by Rosa Watson

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

CERT NZ’s latest Cyber Security Insights report, covering the first quarter of 2024, showed New Zealanders reported $6.6 million lost to cybercrime (online scams), up 84% from the previous quarter.

More New Zealanders reported losing money. There were 413 incidents that reported financial loss and indicated the loss amount, compared to 364 in the final quarter of 2023.

However, the bulk of the money lost was from a handful of scams where people reported losing over $100,000.
The percentage of incidents with financial loss below $500 has decreased for the third quarter in a row.

“We hope that New Zealanders who might normally be caught out by less costly scams are getting better at spotting them,” said CERT NZ Acting Director Sue Critchlow.

Number of reports drop

Between 1 January and 31 March 2024, CERT NZ received 1,530 reports, a 20% decrease from the last quarter of 2023.
“A drop in incidents sounds like encouraging news, but we also know cybercrime is significantly underreported,” Critchlow said.

“Reporting every incident and forwarding phishing links can seem like a waste of time because new emails and messages keep popping up in your inbox. But every report sent through to CERT NZ plays a part in keeping everyone in Aotearoa safe from future threats.”

CERT NZ relies on reports from all New Zealanders – individuals and organisations – to assess and act against online threats and so, the main message in the Cyber Security Insights report is to report every incident to CERT NZ.
You can report any incident to CERT NZ using the reporting tool on its website: https://www.cert.govt.nz/report/business-and-individuals/

A business cyber security plan made easy

The more you know about how to manage online security, the less your business is at risk. Knowing where to start and what to do can be overwhelming. The good news is that many online security incidents can be prevented by implementing a few small changes that will make a big difference.

Own Your Online has developed a helpful online self-assessment tool that gives you tailored actions and advice for your business needs.

Simply go to https://www.ownyouronline.govt.nz/business/get-protected/business-online-security-assessment-tool/ to start the business online security questionnaire.

Once you’ve completed the questionnaire, you will get an online security action plan checklist that breaks up your tasks into levels:
1. Business basics.

2. Next level protection.

3. Extra for experts.

You can email your plan, print it out and even go back to it again to tick off your completed actions.

When you’ve finished your actions, set a reminder to take it again in a few months’ time – online security isn’t something you should set and forget, as new threats are always emerging.

Created by CERT NZ, Own Your Online is part of the New Zealand government’s work to raise understanding of cyber security issues for individuals and businesses. ownyouronline.govt.nz/business/

As part of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), New Zealand’s CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) functions work to create a more cyber resilient Aotearoa.

NCSC supports businesses, organisations and individuals who are affected by cyber security incidents as well as providing trusted and authoritative information and advice to help prevent those incidents.

Did you know?

If it were measured as a country, then cybercrime – expected to inflict damages totalling USD $9.5 trillion in 2024 – would be the third largest economy in the world, after the USA and China.

Written by Heather Kawan

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