After an amazing few days in Taupo attending the FCANZ Conference as your patron, the point was not lost on me that the FCANZ people are a great tribe to belong to.
When we talk about “your tribe”, they can be whoever you decide are your people; the ones who support you, watch you grow, and celebrate your success. They can be family, your sports mates, colleagues or workmates, or your chosen friends. There can be more than one tribe in different areas of your life, but basically, they are the ones you respect, the ones you trust with your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. They are also the ones you go to war with, and in return, they see the same in you.
Generosity in spades
My heartfelt gratitude to Strainrite for their donation of $1,500 from the sale of stock sticks at the Fieldays. The purchase of the leftover dozen by Shaun Davies of Davies Fencing at the FCANZ Conference was also welcomed, as we are a charity, and every dollar helps!
Lean on a Gate update
As the Conference progressed (well managed by the two Js at the wheel), I got time to explain what we had been up to with the ‘Lean on a Gate’ campaign. We have developed and signed off in Parliament, a Memorandum of Understanding with Mates in Construction, to be able to offer real mental health training to the rural sector. We will offer this to fencers through to fertiliser reps, vets to bank staff, agronomists to auctioneers, and the many other roles in between which make up our primary industries.
This project is something I, and others in the charity, have been working on for the last two years, as we have really seen the need. We also want more collaboration between the services available to rural New Zealand and hope to champion them. It has not been lost on me that the many thousands of dollars spent on celebrity speakers over the last few years have opened the door for people to seek help, or even offer help, but where to go is the issue.
Grassroots training to strengthen communities, with the backup of the many services Mates in Construction and others have, is where we need to spend the valuable dollars now. This was well supported by those attending the Taupo event, and to be honest, it meant the world to me. It became apparent to me, standing in front of the FCANZ members, that there was an emotive response from many in the room. It created an outpouring of gratitude and emotion from me. Or was there someone chopping onions in the kitchen next door?
The truth is, FCANZ supported me with some of the first donations to the charity, and has done so every year. I realised that my tribe – the FCANZ tribe – has enabled, supported and watched our kaupapa grow to where it is now a well-recognised support network, facilitating help, and adding strength to rural NZ. This is our journey, and I thank you! What it means to me was obvious – as I fought back the tears of relief – that we now have this partnership in the making with Mates.
Congratulations
I’d like to congratulate the award winners and nominees for the respective FCANZ industry awards. I always look forward to judging the Emerging Talent award, and feel privileged for the chance to MC the evening. We have some great people in the industry, and to have the sponsor’s reward them, and their peers to applaud them, is a worthy cause.
On the last day of Conference, I checked out, not before having a nice breakfast with Phil Cornelius and Donna Upton, the President and his Advisor. Their commitment to the industry is huge. It takes its toll and should be rewarded, even if only with the odd “thanks for what you do,” or the offer of a beer or coffee would go a long way in rewarding them for their efforts. They are people-orientated and driven to see the industry succeed – an asset that would not easily be replaced.
From a Patrons point of view, I think we are well served, and they have – at their own costs – represented us well. Let’s help them where possible to continue their great work!
Flying out of Taupo, I sat next to Joe Schmidt, the legendary rugby coach. I asked him what makes a good coach. His answer, “They won’t care about what you know, until they know you care.” This is what makes us humans: compassion and empathy, which equals support.
Arriving home and holding the couch down, I got a video call from Donna to tell me the good buggers at Conference had raised $8,000+ for the charity, to support us further. Again, those mysterious onions got in my eyes…
You’re a bloody good tribe – you’re my tribe, and I’m so very grateful!
Published in WIRED issue 78/September 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ
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