Wired Magazine

Having gained a lifetime of tractor experience in various locations around the country as a sharemilker and now fencing waterways, swamps and wet areas, Shane Beets from A1Fenceworx could be called a bit of an expert when it comes to fencing in wet areas. He says the most important thing is to be prepared. 

Know your soils

“Know your soil type, recognise what the weather has been doing and how it might impact your ability to put machinery across wet ground and what the weather is likely to do while you are on the job,” is Shane’s advice. “Consider what materials will be suitable, especially for boundary fencing. When you are quoting the job, build in an extra margin for ‘what ifs’.”

Shane thinks heavier soils like clay can be easier to get stuck in, but if you put down longer posts they are more likely to stay there. He says heavy soil doesn’t move much, and you get a suction effect. 

“Lighter soils like peat and light volcanic are easier to fence but give it a few years and the fence may start to lean over. Longer droughts are making it worse by further drying out light soils making them crumbly and unstable. Soils on a pan are hard to get a post in, but they don’t move once through the pan” says Shane. 

Shane thinks swamp fencing is probably the most difficult to do. Longer, heavier strainers and bigger blocked stays are essential, footings are harder to do. 

“We find it more cost-effective, with a better result to put down longer posts. We always have spare 2.4 or 2.7 posts on hand. Longer posts are also a better option on moving ground.”

Shane says managing the tractor driver is critical. The guy on the post driver can see what is happening with the tractor tyres better than the driver. They approach each post from an angle and drive in and out on each set of tracks once. He says keeping up on rushes and other vegetation helps reduce sinking. They have been known to cut branches off a handy Willow tree and lay them where the tractor will drive. “It’s always easier to prepare and lay the branches before you get stuck. And if you do get stuck, stop early” says Shane.  

Experience pays off for Shane

Having once been one, Shane says a farmer is going to be happier to pull a fencer out that has not made a big mess and bellied his tractor. He says that he has experienced the embarrassment of making an ‘I’m stuck again’ call 15 minutes after being pulled out. 

He says they slowly “feel” their way into a swamp and fence downhill. The tractor is less likely to get stuck going backwards down a swamp. If you have a compressor handy, let some air out of the tyres.

“We do a lot of road driving with the tractors so don’t have cleats or duals. That’s never stopped us though. The whole team just have a chat about it and make a plan, then get the job done.”

Shane also suggests that when fencing along or across waterways, fencing contractors put some thought into how the fence will perform if it floods. 

“Ask the landowner how high the water comes up and suggest an additional margin for serious flooding.” 

Shane remembers fencing all the waterways on a local dairy farm. “The farmer was an old chap that would not spare a blade of grass and he was so angry that Fonterra was making him fence them all. I advised him that the fence should be installed further back. The farmer said “no way.” 6 months later, after 2 big floods, kilometers of fencing were gone.”

Shane says when the team fence across a stream, they set up break away points so that if a flood were to take out a fence, it will take out a small section only, making it quick and cheap to fix. They install a decent strainer each side of the waterway, but out of the main flow zone and tie weaker ties that will give in a flood, as well as staple the wires on the downstream side to further assist with the fence breaking away, but hopefully leaving the posts in place.

People have lots of small dams in Northland, and it is not an unusual request to build a jetty on a dam. The team usually do 3-4 each year and with A1fenceworx life styler client base, these types of requests are becoming more common. Shane picks his time and does them in the driest part of summer, getting out as far as possible for the client.

A recent job that A1fenceworx did, was interesting, says Shane, but not one that he would want to do every day. 

“The client requested a 100-meter retaining wall, on the boundary, in the estuary, on peat soil with tree stumps underneath. A fair challenge, so I accepted the job and did our planning with the guys. We had a second tractor on site just in case.”

When they started it was nice and dry, and the client had laid tree mulch from gum trees he had cut down, but unfortunately, it started raining the second day in and it didn’t stop. “The job turned into a bog, the mulch pushed under the mud, and it was very unpleasant going. We got the tractor stuck – it wedged on a buried tree stump – but with a bit of planning and the second tractor, it popped right out” says Shane. 

Because it was peat, Shane said he decided to use 3.6m long building poles with a SED (small end diameter) of 225mm. And they were heavy. The team had to slide them off the tractor forks onto place and lift them with two and sometimes three of the guys. The rails were 200x50mm and also a challenge to fit in the mud. 

“Even though our best laid plans were put to the test, if we hadn’t planned for the worst, the job would have been a disaster. As it turned out, the wall is very strong and looks great and the client is super happy” Shane says. 

“Northland is notorious for having wet and difficult ground to fence, especially in the winter and even though the team are used to it we still plan and approach wet areas with caution” says Shane. “We hadn’t had a tractor stuck for about 3 years until the retaining wall job. A bit of common sense always pays off and we never just charge on in.” 

 

Article written by Shane Beets and Heather Kawan
www.a1fenceworx.co.nz

Published in the Difficult & Demanding Fencelines Feature in WIRED Issue 67 / December 2022 by Fencing Contractors NZ

NorthTec | Te Pūkenga is launching the NZ Certificate in Fencing (Level 4) in 2023. The course will be aimed at those who are currently managing or want to manage a fencing crew.

The certificate builds on the foundations of the NZ Certificate in Fencing (Level 3) with a focus on fence and stockyard design and construction, managing staff and client relationships, and leadership skills.

“We’re excited to be offering the next step for our graduates and those who have been working in the fencing industry,” says Jim Smith, Pathway Manager for Agriculture at NorthTec | Te Pūkenga. “With this new qualification, learners will be able to take the next step in their careers and open up the pathway to management or solo business ownership.”

The programme is designed to suit the needs of people already working in the industry. It’s no secret that people are busy with full-time work and need to shape learning and assessments around their jobs. We can’t all commit to full-time study.

With this in mind, NorthTec | Te Pūkenga has created a programme where most of the assessments can be done on the job, as part of the workday, rather than taking time outside work to complete. That way you can still gain new skills and gain qualifications without sacrificing part of your paycheck or your valuable free time.

The programme will be delivered using online zoom tutorials, online learning, and one-on-one worksite visits, so learners will need access to a computer and a stable internet connection. However, the majority of the work will be done on the job through a hands-on learning approach.

Like the Level 3 course, the NZ Certificate in Fencing (Level 4) is available across Aotearoa New Zealand and is not limited to the Northland area. This provides training to fencing workers across the country. 

The course aims to provide the fencing industry with people who have the knowledge and practical skills to design and construct fences, interpret a livestock yard design and construct a yard to meet client requirements; and the ability to lead a team and manage client relationships. 

This not only improves outcomes for the learner, giving them the ability to work their way up in the workplace, but it also provides great benefits for the industry by providing highly skilled and knowledgeable workers. 

Five papers make up the course. This includes Fence Line Design and Specifications, Fence Line Construction, Livestock Yard Design and Specifications, Livestock Yard Construction, and Managing Client Relations and Teamwork. Learners will have constructed a set of commercial yards by the end of the course.

Graduates of the programme will be able to manage fencing and yard design and construction both solo and as a team leader or crew manager. 

Applicants must have completed the NZ Certificate in Fencing (Level 3) or have 3+ years experience working in the fencing industry, be managing a crew or can assist in managing a crew or team, and be physically able to do the particle parts of the programme. 

For more information, see northtec.ac.nz/programmes/new-zealand-certificate-in-fencing-level-4  

Article supplied by NorthTec | Te Pūkengawww.northtec.ac.nz

Published in the Training & Events Feature in WIRED Issue 67 / December 2022 by Fencing Contractors NZ

Gary and Mel Pepperell purchased the Action Fencing business in 2016 and have been steadily adding to the products and services supplied to the market. With his background in aircraft engineering, Gary looks at the fencing business in a slightly different way from others and is able to solve problems and offer unique solutions to meet customer needs.

Over the past 6 years, they have built a 3-way partnership with Carters Building Supplies as their main supplier and a special relationship with Topuni Timber Ltd who manufacture the posts, strainers, wooden gates and customised wooden gates, which have become an important part of the Action Fencing offering.
Action Fencing offer fencing solutions in Rural, Security, School/Civil, Residential, manual and automated steel and wooden gates. It is in this last area where the relationship with Topuni Timber has really grown, as Topuni Timber offer a custom gate making service, designing and producing gates to the style, size, and purpose desired by the end users. Custom gates are handy to fit odd-sized gateways, stockyards, special uses, and entranceways.
Gary and David Chamberlin, General Manager of Topuni Timber, first met when David was working at Carters about 5 years ago, and since he moved to Topuni they have been able to expand the product offering and services. They now have such a good understanding, that a quick phone call gets a draft design and cost estimate in progress for presentation to the customer. The design is then adapted or approved, cost finalised, and put into production to meet the timeframe of the rest of the fencing work.

Working together – Topuni Timber and Action Fencing

Topuni Timber and Action Fencing together have provided plenty of customer satisfaction, especially with ranch-style gates for entranceways, often chosen in the unique Topuni Timber gate timber, or also popular in a machine gauged 140x45mm timber for very solid and imposing gates.
Action Fencing have been developing a market segment in the evolving lifestyle property real estate space, where people tend to be building their dream home. Mel Pepperell, Managing Director for Action Fencing says their clients recognise the importance of an entranceway in completing their vision. “These customers should have an entranceway that matches their new home. This gives the customer the satisfaction of coming home each day, going up the driveway to see a fantastic ranch style gate and entranceway, and opening the automatic gates from the comfort of the driver’s seat, before continuing onto their dream home.”

Remote locations and solar power

With so many rural lifestyle properties in Northland with long driveways in remote places, Action Fencing gets a lot of calls for solar-powered, automatic gates that complement a rural setting and existing post and rail fencing. With this often comes the need for the installation of solar-powered solutions. Having installed such gates for over six years, Action Fencing has refined their installation process, which often involves a bit of problem-solving specific to each site.
“For the installation of a particular set of Mangawhai solar-powered gates (photos above), we questioned our clients about the required aesthetic, potential maximum usage, and peripheral options they might require such as GSM solutions,” says Mel.
Action Fencing generally use 170 watt to 200 watt solar systems that produce 24 volts to 240 amp batteries which give more than adequate power supply for all eventualities and allows most accessories to run. To reduce the draw on the system, accessories have their own batteries and WIFI connections.
“The solar panel had to be placed in the most suitable spot for maximum sunlight and the operation system protected from weather and insect infestation, which has been something more prevalent in recent years,” says Mel.
“The clients decided upon a keypad and remotes for opening on-site. GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) allows you to open your gates remotely if required; we have even had clients opening their gate whilst on a cruise in Antarctica! A fab test of our system.”
While timber posts are aesthetically in keeping with ranch-style gates, they don’t always maintain their shape over time. To prevent any potential future issues with posts Action Fencing began to use 200×200 HDG steel posts which are 5 to 6ml thick and very substantial. The posts are galvanised locally. Gates hinges have also been refined over time.
“We used to use fixed hinges but now use adjustable thru gudgeons to take up the inevitable change in shape of the gates over time – future-proofing is key,” Mel says. Action Fencing only use New Zealand made gates and Italian Brushless Technology from their trusted suppliers – nothing flimsy or unserviceable following installation, and their supplier back-up is amazing.

Do it once and do it well.

The company has often been called out to service gates that were not been installed by their team.
Mel understands the frustration of clients when Action Fencing are called out to service gates that were not installed by their team. “The problems we encounter in such situations are usually due to use of cheap, inadequate systems and inexperience of prior installers – a lack of foresight and future-proofing. ‘Do it once and do it well’ is our motto!”
“Something else we have developed over the years due to customer security needs is the supply and installation of security cages that protect automation systems from theft… and yes, this does occur! We have worked with our main supplier to design these cages which are unique to our service” Mel says.
Gary and Mel are proud of the Action Fencing team and the great work they are doing in the solar power/automation area. “It’s crucial to have great supply partners to work with and develop best outcomes for our mutual customers. Gary being a qualified engineer helps with that too!”

Article written by Mel Pepperell,
Managing Director, Action Fencing

www.actionfencing.co.nz

www.facebook.com/topunitimberPublished in the Gates Feature in WIRED Issue 66 / September 2022 by Fencing Contractors NZ

Building a new set of stockyards is a huge expense for farmers in this day and age, with prices of both timber and steel increasing more rapidly than ever. It shows the lengths farmers will go to ensure quality of animal health by maintaining farm infrastructure. 

Well built yards make it a lot easier, safer and more efficient for everyone involved in working with the stock including farm workers, vets, technicians and truck drivers. In the last few years we have built several sets of yards, both sheep and cattle in the South Canterbury region. Timber yards with steel gates and concrete floors still seem to be the most popular choice.

When designing a set of yards, concept designs are usually drafted while sitting at the kitchen table. It’s a rough plan, sometimes a coffee cup or even a beer bottle might be used to draw a circle race. I like to take two or three different ideas to a client and then discuss with them what will work for their farm and things usually develop from there. It all depends on how many stock units they are wanting to run, what the purpose of the yards is and how big the pen sizes need to be. I ask if they want a round pen with a backing gate or just a normal forcing pen; how many sliding gates they want in the race and if they want a single or double load out ramp. Generally, clients are very receptive to advice on how to go about things and they welcome suggestions.

Stockyards require a lot of accuracy when driving posts and care needs to be taken with measuring and marking out so that spacings are the correct size. However, the yards are mostly built prior to going through and measuring all of the gateways to ensure perfect accuracy for slam catches. It also makes it a lot easier having the gates fabricated after the posts are driven and yards are built so you’re not trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. 

This does mean there can be a bit of wait time where the yards aren’t able to be used until the gates show up and are installed but in the long run it is more efficient. If we are using pre-fabricated gates, we always make sure the gates are on site prior to post driving to ensure the measurements are dead right. 

In South Canterbury we have some good local engineers building our gates and ramps; Gibson Bros Limited in Fairlie and Agriboss Engineering in Timaru. We use a lot of Te Pari slam catches and also some of their pre-fabricated gates. The Te Pari slam catches are good to use even on the custom-made gates as there is the benefit of being able to purchase both right-handed and left-handed catches and they have 25mm of adjustment if there is any movement with timber shrinkage. In sheep yards, standard gate chains are often used but it is down to the preference of the client.

Cattle Yards

For cattle yards, we tend to use a lot of 2.4m gates. It’s a good size that you can fit enough animals through, but if you want to stop one you still have a reasonably big presence in the gateway when standing in it. It’s also a good size practically as the gates are normally light enough that you can slam them fast and they tend to stand the test of time without sagging too much. They are also easier to transport and hang at this size. We usually go for 1400mm high and have six rails spaced 150mm wide at the bottom, getting further apart at the top. 50mm x 50mm galvanised box section is used. When hanging yard gates, we like the gudgeons to come off the post at a 45° angle so that the gate will swing right back to the boards and you also get a bit of adjustment in the gudgeons to get it sitting right. If your gate isn’t hung right it won’t meet the slam catch and in some cases won’t swing right back (not to mention it looks awful).

In the last year or two we have built three sets of yards for a large client in South Canterbury. We built some sale pens on a station for a calf sale venue, and a set of cattle yards on a dairy farm for young stock. The other set were large scale yards on their run-off block which were built to manage about one thousand cows. They have large holding pens, a large round forcing pen, a 20m long race split into three with sliding gates and a double load out ramp. When building the large set of yards we stripped an old set of cattle yards which was being pulled down and salvaged what was still in good condition in terms of steel gates. It was good to be able to re-use some of the materials without them going to waste and some of the original gates were also modified by the engineers to get them to suit the new yards. The double load out ramp and 32 new gates were made by Gibson Bros Limited.

Sheep Yards

Sheep yards have more variation in gate size usually, ranging from 450mm x 900mm to 3000mm x 900mm. When building sheep yards, generally you are working around more of what is already there, including building a load in race into a woolshed. Recently we built a completely new set of sheep yards, again with custom steel gates from Gibson Bros Limited. For this project the gates were galvanized steel frames made from angle iron and box section. We then bolted in three 150mm x 25mm boards inside the angle iron frame so they were a combination of timber and steel. The top board needs to be flush with the top of the steel so that there is no gap in which a sheep dog could get a paw stuck and get hurt.

Building yards is a rewarding aspect of fencing because the finished product is quite an art. It’s always great to get a few photos from above when you have finished a set so that you can appreciate the full capacity of the project. The process of building yards forces you to think and calculate a bit more than your standard fence so it can be a good challenge at times. Just like with fencing, it’s good to be able to drive past and see the yards working well when the job is finished.  

Article written by Dan Douglass 

www.facebook.com/dandouglassfencing

Published in the Gates Feature in WIRED Issue 66 / September 2022 by Fencing Contractors NZ

WIREMARK® Golden Pliers winner, 10 x Fieldays Silver Spades winner and former FCANZ Chairman Wayne Newdick, provides a quick summary of how to swing a gate using best practice techniques. 

Make an effort to level the top of the strainer distance 3660mm gate inside measurement usually minus 40mm assuming the gate opens 180 degrees.

Tools

–  2 short levels 250mm one of which is magnetic
–  30mm ring spanner
–  Small sledge
–  Drill and bit 19-20 mm
–  Tape
–  Spade

Method

1.  Stand the gate in position on the ground, check for slam ie: 30mm and make sure the gudgeon position will not cause binding.
2.  At this stage, I simply put a vertical pencil mark above the top hinge to determine the entry point to drill through the centre of the strainer in line with a hinge.
3.  Lie the gate on the ground.
4.  Most top hinges line up with the bottom of the top bar of the gate. Simply measure from the top of the gate to the bottom of the top bar and add 15mm for the centre of your top gudgeon.
5.  Transfer that mark to the strainer and with a short level transfer the mark that you put above the hinge to the horizontal mark indicating the centre of your gudgeon.
6.  If using a lock thru, hold this across the face below the mark you have just put on the strainer.
7.  Then mark the top of the lock and this will give you the centres. Now drill both at the same time using a short level to ensure the drill bit is level.
8.  Fit the gudgeon and lift the gate on, then put a spade under the latch end of the gate, sometimes on the top of the blade, if it’s too far off the ground put the handle of the spade under the pipe on the top of the gate, or you can use a straight handled spade with a holder (as per photo below).
9.  Sit the top of the gate above the slam. The amount depends on the gate, a Standard gate is 20-30mm. 
10.  Then put the magnetic level just above the bottom hinge to get plumb. Try to keep both gudgeons in line.
11.  Once the gate is plumb drill the bottom gudgeon hole using the second same as the top.
12.  Generally, long pin is used on the bottom, making it easier to fit the gate.
13.  All gates are different with drop. Standard gates with a brace don’t drop much, 20-30mm.
14.  Plastic inserted hinges drop less.
15.  Some heavier gates and those without a brace can drop anything from 30-50mm or more

Most of the time it’s just practise mixed with a good guess.

I only use blocks of wood or wedges to lift a gate if I’m on concrete or hard metal. This same system is how I swing gates to ground as well.  

Article written by Wayne Newdick

Published in the Gates Feature in WIRED Issue 66 / September 2022 by Fencing Contractors NZ

Fencing and gate automation have more in common than is apparent on the surface.

We all work outside in all weather conditions and must deal with mud, water, wind, and all while making sure we meet our customers’ expectations. At the end of the day we continue doing what we do best because we enjoy the work and the lifestyle it creates. Standing back and looking at a job well done makes us all proud of the work we have completed.

Gate automation is a small but vital part of our industry and all the work carried out by the fencing contractor can either complement an automation install or bring out the shortcomings.

History of OPENZ Limited

OPENZ Limited, operated by Tony Phaal, has been working in tandem with the fencing industry for many years and is a name synonymous in the gate automation sector throughout the Canterbury region.

Tony has a solid background within the security industry having been involved in gate automation and access control for more than 30 years, specializing in domestic and commercial automation solutions.

Tony has been based in Christchurch since 1996 with his wife and 3 daughters. With his background in the gate automation industry and qualification in electronics, he saw a huge opportunity for this type of business.

OPENZ started operating in the South Island in 1999 and they have done numerous installations in Christchurch, Wanaka, Queenstown, Dunedin, Nelson. Over the last 20 years they have concentrated more on the Canterbury region. “We prefer to focus our talents and expertise on the local market. We have also learned a lot about the local requirements regarding access control solutions for domestic, commercial and rural installations” says Tony. 

Automation today

“We are now seeing more automation companies focusing on rural and lifestyle blocks, where the security benefits are becoming more and more necessary as well as the ease of use. The use of solar panels within a rural or lifestyle property is very attractive where there is no access to power”. OPENZ operates the Roger brushless motors from Edgesmith which run effortlessly when powered by their solar kit.

The aesthetics of the entrance way are also becoming increasingly important and automatic gate technology has come a long way from the farm gate mounted on wooden posts, which was more often than not never closed.

Customers now have access to bespoke designed and engineered gates which operate seamlessly such as swing gates, sliding gates, cantilever gates, telescopic sliding gates, bi-folding swing gates, and sectional sliding gates. Pretty much a solution for any application. 

“The selection of the type of automation system is critical for a successful installation and functionality of the installation,” says Tony.  “This is where we spend a huge amount of time with our customers, to ascertain exactly how they would like the system to perform for their specific needs. There is nothing worse than investing in a new entranceway for the enhancement and security of your property and ending up with a system that does not perform. The system needs to be designed correctly from the start.”

Roger Automation is a great product due to it being a BRUSHLESS system and this enables the motor to slow down and speed up during its run cycle without compromising the power of the motor, resulting in a super smooth operation. It’s also super quiet. 

The gate shown in the featured photo (above) uses an underground gate motor. A foundation hole is dug with drainage and a special tub is concreted into the hole. The motor fits into the tub and the gate sits directly on top of it, effectively acting as the bottom hinge for the gate.

This has three benefits:

–  it is a clean and elegant look, with no external motor detracting from the aesthetic of the gate
–  because the gate sits directly on the motor there is no chance of the hinges letting it down and very large gates can be automated this way
–  the geometry is very flexible – gates can be made to open up to 180 degrees and there are no limitations with the posts

For a fencing company, forming a relationship and working with a professional gate installer can open up a far greater range of solutions than just a standard sliding or swing gate and will give you confidence that the automation is the right choice for the job.  

Article written by OPENZ Limited

www.openz.co.nz

Published in the Gates Feature in WIRED Issue 66 / September 2022 by Fencing Contractors NZ

take them to a Fencing Field Day and watch the job offers roll in.

Geraldine High School’s Primary Industry Academy (PIA) class was lucky enough to join the FCANZ National Fencing Field Day. Back in the day PIA introduced themselves to Whangarei on our class trip in July and invited themselves to the FCANZ National Fencing Field Day to run an event to showcase what school students are capable of. We were lucky enough to make friends with Donna Upton (FCANZ / NorthTec), Phil Cornelius (FCANZ) & Jim Smith (NorthTec) meeting up with them in the torrential, horizontal rain at the Young Farmer Final.

PIA is recognised as one of the top schools in New Zealand for practical primary sector training. We have been running for around 10 years modifying the course along the way and discovering that fencing is our “thing”. At school, the students each have their own set of posts and all the tools thanks to Strainrite, Waratah, Stockade & Geraldine ITM. In year 11 the main focus is wire work centered around a basic line with figure 8 knots, crimps, and adding in a permanent wire strainer in different ways. Year 12 students get their chainsaw ticket and advance to digging in posts and stays. These students are all out on the farm one day per week where they are able to put their skills into action.

Our top students enter in the Adult Young Farmer Fencing competition consistently making the top 3 in our region.

2022 has seen students working for local fencing contractors in the holidays and taking on projects of their own eg, building a fence for the Peel Forest Preschool and the boundary fence along the school river. The students have proven to be invaluable during the 2021 floods fixing fences and taking some of the stress off our farmers.

In Mosgiel we got some experience in what setting up a competition could look like with the aim of the day being to show what teenagers are capable of to the posh people of the fencing world,  receive feedback that what we are teaching is what employers want, and pick up valuable tips and hints.

Our demonstration consisted of 2 categories both using teams of 3. The strainers were pre-driven (massive thank you to Nick Terry from Custom Fencing). We had 7 teams in total consisting of 5 GHS and 2 Taieri High School. 

Class 1 – Intermediate 

Dig in an intermediate post and breast block, 3 wires, use a triplex 3 ways, set up electrics, add in a crimp and fig 8.

Class 2 – Advanced

As above, adding in a box and angle stays and chamfering the strainers.

For us the whole day was pure gold and made leaving home to start the first student pickups at 4 am well worthwhile. 

We can’t thank Donna and the team at FCANZ enough for this opportunity and to all the amazing contractors who stopped by for a yarn and were so willing to give up their time to hang out with the teenagers and share their expertise. 

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Published in the Training & Events section of WIRED Issue 66 / September 2022 by Fencing Contractors NZ

 

There are worse places to knock up a fenceline than the picturesque Waiheke Island near Auckland. So, when Hawke’s Bay-based contractors Shane and Joelene Bouskill were approached about a job fencing up a newly purchased farm on the island, they were happy to oblige. The 800-acre property was purchased by an old boss of Shane’s, who owns the neighbouring property.

Although he wasn’t short of work back home, Shane and Joelene were happy to take it on. “There’s plenty of work happening down here (in Hawke’s Bay), but he’s purchased this block and it needs to be fenced up, so we are just helping him out.” Accommodation is provided for them on the property while they carry out the job, while a worker takes care of their business back home.

At this stage the property has around 1,200 ewes and some cattle, but that will increase over time, Shane says. The new owner is also taking on a large amount of native planting of the wetlands and is using seeds from the existing bush on the property to carry it out.

The three-kilometre boundary fence, with eight-wires including two hot wires, is on rolling countryside with reasonably forgiving terrain, Shane says. “There’s a little bit of steeper stuff, but it’s not too bad.” There is eight kilometres of internal fencing to carry out as well, “but I think it’s going to be more than that.”

So far on the job, machinery and tools have included a tractor and post driver, skid steer with a ram and a four-wire jenny. They are using Goldpine quarter-round posts, which you don’t see a lot of in the area where full rounds are a more common sight.

Quarter rounds perform just as well as full rounds, Shane reckons. “They’re quite strong, the quarter-round posts. You don’t really need to use full rounds, and it’s pretty hard to get full rounds at the moment as well.”

And if there are any issues with them breaking, Goldpine will replace them. The price point on quarter rounds was good too, helping to keep the cost down for the client, he said.

“It’s a no-brainer as far as farm fencing goes, especially with the added compliance costs these days.”

One challenge the location had thrown up was getting material and machinery to the job, relying on transport across to the island which could be two hours apart. “You’ve got to barge everything over, so you’re running on a timetable.” It added to the cost and was “a bit of a hassle”.

Shane and Joelene are managing to get through about 700 metres a week and are using Waratah’s longlife blue wire, which Shane was confident would stand up to the area’s coastal conditions. An order of 48,000 metres was on its way to complete the job.

Shane is well known in the fencing industry having taken out the Golden Pliers competition four times and also winning the world title. However, his son Tony knocked him off the perch in 2018, taking the national title and having done so each year since. Together, Shane and Tony have won the 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021 Silver Spades doubles titles.  

Bouskill Fencing Contractors

Article written by Rosa Watson.

Published in Our People section of WIRED Issue 66 / September 2022 by Fencing Contractors NZ