WIRED ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
Publication of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand
|
fcanz.org.nz
DON’T LET SUCCESS OR FAILURE COME DOWN TO THE WIRE.
Only fencing wire that carries the WIREMARK guarantee is 100% made and tested in New Zealand for this country’s harsh farming conditions. So make sure you ask for WIREMARK, the fencing wire that’s as tough and wiry as a local fencer. To find out more, visit wiremark.co.nz, call 0800 7227 8335 or email info@pacificsteel.co.nz MADE TOUGH AND WIRY IN NEW ZEALAND
In this issue
ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
12
FCANZ News 5
The President’s Report
7
Event Calendar 2024
6
The Board Blog
11
Business Staples Webinars
13
Webinar Report: Recruitment and selection
12
FCANZ out and about
19
Industry & Innovation 16 19 22 25 27
Save time and stress with app-controlled electric fence system Customer needs driving innovation Not all crimps are created equal
Gear that packs a punch: enhancing your operations YouTuber ‘Kiwi Farmer’ making the most of new Kinghitter Post Drive
FEATURE: Professional Development 28
Husband and wife fencing team leading by example
31
New skills creating newfound pathways
30 32 35 37
28
Encouraging the next generation of fencers
Industry training key to moving business forward A tutor’s perspective
An important step to reaching goals
Training & Events 39 40 42 43 46
Progression of Certificate in Fencing Level 3 and 4 at NorthTec | Te Pūkenga Fencing trendsetters
NorthTec | Te Pūkenga: Student Profile
How to: Gravity Retaining Walls
41
U.S. Platinum Strainer Doubles Championship
Business, Health & Safety, Environment 49
Why train staff?
54
Young employees
52 56
58
Nine warning signs you can’t afford to miss Making finance easier for SMEs
Our People 57
FENCEQUIP in the USA
63
A Wife’s Tale
60
Rocking it in Rockbridge
Disclaimer WIRED takes all due care in the preparation of this magazine but is not responsible or liable for any mistakes or omissions. Articles that appear in WIRED do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FCANZ. WIRED welcomes contributions but reserves the right to edit.
Editor Heather Kawan wired@fcanz.org.nz 0226 308 533
WIRED MAGAZINE
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
Subscriptions & Advertising Jeanette Miller admin@fcanz.org.nz 027 432 2033
Graphic Design dkdesignstudio.nz 027 405 7646
ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
3
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President's Report Welcome to the latest edition of WIRED magazine.
It’s amazing how quickly the year has flown by, as we enter the peak fencing season. Although the work has been relatively steady throughout the year, we will hopefully see things picking up going forward.
completion in the North Island, NorthTec Te Pūkenga has opened up enrolments for the February 2024 intake of both Level 3 and Level 4 courses. For industry training to continue they need learners to enrol and participate.
The Association has recently purchased another Fortress trailer for the South Island. After cost analysis and comparison, it was decided that one for each island was the best way to store Association assets and deliver consistency across events going forward.
Recent events throughout the South Island in November were well received. Thanks to all who participated and organised these. A wrap-up of these events will be included in the March edition of WIRED.
This edition has a focus on professional development. With two Certificate in Fencing (Level 4) cohorts nearly complete and two Level 3 cohorts on the verge of
See you in the New Year. Cheers, Phil
I’d like to make a special mention of our Partners for their ongoing support of the industry. We all really appreciate the effort and input you all have to the Association and our members.
Our Mission To increase the profile of fencing as a recognised profession and encourage a high level of workmanship through knowledge and standards.
CAL CAL
I hope you all have a restful and enjoyable festive season. I, and the rest of the Board are always here for a yarn.
FCANZ News
I’m not even going to mention the weather this edition, nor the World Cup. However, a change in Government might see some confidence return to the economy sooner rather than later.
Phil Cornelius President
& HAPPY NEW YEAR
Vecteezy.com
From the FCANZ Board and Operations team
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The Board blog
FCANZ Board & Operations Team with Craig Wiggins (Absent: Debbie White)
Another year has zoomed past, and we look forward to 2024 providing some much-needed economic confidence and certainty. As a Board, we constantly review our performance and the needs of the Association. Work has been ongoing with locking in our Strategic Plan and how the activities will be delivered. We also recently reviewed the first half-year financials and are looking towards making necessary adjustments to the Budget. A membership drive is underway, with this being a strong focus for the Board for the remainder of this financial year. Executive Director Jaime is working on implementing the strategy that she has come up with, and there will be some referral benefits for our existing members, so keep an eye out for that.
Business Staples Webinars Our Business Staples Webinars are back, and have been focusing on employment with a great speaker, Jaime Rose-Peacock, from Marbles People & HR. Jaime’s three webinars have been incredibly informative and helpful, providing a number of clarifications on this important and somewhat of a minefield subject. Attendance at the webinars is low, which is a shame since the Q&A sessions at
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
the end allow members to ask questions that are relevant to their situation. It is this interactive piece that makes our webinars so different from other online learning sessions. You can watch all of the FCANZ professional development webinar recordings on the Members Hub of the website at a time that suits you. We encourage you to register for these FCANZ webinars, as they are a valuable resource.
New FCANZ Trailer Earlier this year, the decision was made to buy an FCANZ-branded trailer for the South Island to help with branding, resourcing events and storage of Association equipment and signage. The trailer will be used at Best Practice Days, and careers events, and will be seen within the New Zealand Fencing Competitions (NZFC) area at the Southern Fieldays in February. The trailer is also important for advertising the Find a Fencing Contractor web directory and raising the profile of the fencing industry.
Sector Advisory Groups update Work is well underway with our Sector Advisory Groups for the creation of some best-practice guidelines for key aspects of rural, residential and security fencing. The series of guidelines will be in the form of technical drawings and will specify the
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
best set-out in standard conditions. Of course, there is huge variation in every job depending on contours and client requirements, but these guides are an excellent step towards fencing being recognised as a trade.
Fundraising We were delighted at a recent Board meeting in Christchurch to present Association Patron Craig “Whatever with Wiggy” Wiggins with a cheque for $16,800. This incredible amount was raised at the charity auction at our Conference this year and will go a long way to helping Craig continue his great work in the rural mental health and wellbeing space.
Inaugural FCANZ 4WD Tour At the time of writing, final preparations were underway for the first FCANZ 4WD tour. We introduced these two-day 4WD tours as something a bit different. They let members see different parts of the country and get an up-close look at member fencing projects, and the environmental and logistical considerations that have an impact on their businesses. It’s also a chance to see our partner’s products after they have been installed for a number of years or been out working on the fence line for a
WIRED MAGAZINE
number of years. Oh, and a good get-together for a social time.
Karen Renner
Initiated by Debbie White, the first twoday tour came about through a discussion with Scott and Anna Heasley at the Dunedin Conference. Scott and Anna lead Day 2, with Mike Renner leading Day 1. We appreciate their involvement and local knowledge. We trust these tours will become a standard annual FCANZ event in both islands and help encourage new 4WD accessories/vehicle partners to join us, along with the likes of remote communication suppliers.
The Renner’s are a wonderful fencing family and Karen was very much an integral part of the business, running the office until Olivia took over in 2016. Karen made an estimated 14,000 lunches for Terry to take to work on the fence line. Many of you will know Karen from the many FCANZ Conferences which she and Terry attended over the years. FCANZ wishes to extend our sincere condolences to Terry, Mike, Brad and their families.
Christmas shutdown The FCANZ ‘office’ will be closed from 12pm Friday 22 December, reopening at 9am, Monday 8 January 2024.
FCANZ News
Karen passed away suddenly at home on October 5th 2023, aged 70 years. Karen was the dearly loved wife of Terry (they were married for 53 years); adored Mother of Micheal, Bradley, and Lynley; Mother-in-law to Olivia, Michelle and Dave; and proud Gran to Charlie, Felicity, Lewis, Harvey, Zoe, Harrison, Pippa and Elloise.
Event Calendar 2024 FEB
JUL
14th
South Island Field Days Waimumu
20th
Business Staples Webinar
29th
North Island Best Practice Day – Fencing Hub Northland Field Days
MAR 8th
Agri Futures & Clash of the Colleges Rural Games
19th
Business Staples Webinar
APR
23rd AUG
Business Staples Webinar
7th
National Fencing Field Day Canterbury
8-9th
Conference Christchurch
20th
Business Staples Webinar
SEP 13th
Clash of the Colleges Mt Albert Grammar School
23rd
Business Staples Webinar
15th
30th
South Island Best Practice Day Wanaka, South Island – Residential
South Island Best Practice Day Te Anau – Rural
17th
South Island Best Practice Day Invercargill – Security
17th
Business Staples Webinar
24th
North Island Best Practice Day King Country
26th
North Island Best Practice Day King Country
MAY 2nd
South Island Best Practice Day West Coast – Rural
14th
North Island Best Practice Day Manawatu / Wairarapa
16th
North Island Best Practice Day Manawatu / Wairarapa
OCT
21st
Business Staples Webinar
22nd
Business Staples Webinar
JUN
NOV
12-15th Mystery Creek Fieldays Hamilton
13th
Agri Futures & Clash of the Colleges Christchurch Show
18th
19th
Business Staples Webinar
Business Staples Webinar
Dates subject to change WIRED MAGAZINE
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
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Constructing fences for a living?
You need to belong to FCANZ!
Fencing Contractors Association NZ (FCANZ) is the industry body supporting the fencing industry of New Zealand. Established in 2006, FCANZ aims to raise the profile and standards of the fencing industry, growing the market for fencing contractors and others associated with the industry, and ensuring Fencing Contractors Association NZ is the first port of call for those seeking a fencing contractor.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Business Directory Listing
Quarterly WIRED Magazine
Boost your business by being
All members receive four editions of
listed on the FCANZ ‘Find a
Fencing Contractor’ directory,
helping the public find contractors in their area. Enjoy free promotion through campaigns that attract
potential clients to the directory
which is visited more than 25,000 times each year!
Welcome Pack & Exclusive Offers Receive a new member
Welcome Pack worth more
than $300 which includes a
branded cooler bag, hi-viz vest, hat and other merchandise.
Plus, enjoy access to exclusive
offers and unparalleled support from FCANZ Partners.
WIRED magazine per year worth over $80. WIRED is the official quarterly publication of FCANZ, and is New Zealand’s only
fencing industry magazine. Each issue contains a host of informative news, business & industry insights, human
interest articles and information specific to the fencing industry.
FCANZ members also benefit from: •
Belonging to an Association of like-minded individuals
•
Regional fencing Best Practice Days
•
Access to free business best practice webinars
•
Subsidised Annual Conference tickets
•
Use of FCANZ logo to differentiate your business from your competitors
•
Creating industry-wide connections through networking opportunities with members and Association partners
•
10% discount on Site Safe membership
•
Free job, tool and equipment listings on the FCANZ classifieds web page
•
Certified Fencer and Accredited Fencing Contractor industry endorsements to prove your quality
Federated Farmers Membership FCANZ’s affiliation with Federated Farmers gives all members a complimentary
Federated Farmers membership – worth $499, including access to free legal and employment advice, group purchasing opportunities and much, much more.
There are a lot of benefits to being an FCANZ member, all for only $325+gst per year! Join today! www.fcanz.org.nz/join | 0508 432 269 | admin@fcanz.org.nz
ACCESS YOUR
FREE FEDERATED FARMERS MEMBERSHIP
Your complimentary membership offer includes: • Free Legal & Employment Advice • Discounted Contracts & Agreements • Policy Insights – including information on: • Legal requirements – Stock Exclusion & Freshwater management – • Setbacks from Waterways • Culverts & Fish Passage • Employment Legislation Changes + So much more TOTAL PACKAGE VALUE $499 +GST
or phone FCANZ today 0508 432 269
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Business Staples Webinars: Covering business basics The webinars were created to provide business owners with practical and usable advice, and have delivered more than 700 minutes of content across twelve separate webinars. Topics to date have included: •
Quotes
•
Getting Paid
• • • • • • • • • •
Terms & Conditions
For those who are unable to make the sessions, every webinar is recorded and available through the member hub on the website. There’s also recently been a request for the sessions to be made available as audio files so they can be listened to while working or driving. This is a great idea that will be actioned for the 2024 series.
FCANZ President Phil Cornelius says, “Continuing to learn is so important and as a business owner, there are always ways to improve. Even if the webinars reinforce that what you’re doing is best practice, it means there’s one less thing to worry about, and that’s got to be good!”.
FCANZ News
Launched in 2022, originally in response to COVID lockdowns, the Business Staples webinar series will be heading into its third year in 2024.
Operating Costs 1 - Labour
Operating Costs 2 – Calculating Costs Understanding ACC H&S Basics
Workplace Wellbeing ACC CoverPlus
Recruitment & Selection Managing Employees
Dismissals & Grievances
FCANZ Board member and owner of Custom Fencing in Dunedin, Nick Terry, says “The webinars are great. I’ve spent a few years now getting things on the fence line to be the best that I can with myself and my staff. The next challenge was obviously to be able to get my business running at peak performance. The webinars have gone a long way to helping me achieve this.” All Rural Fencing’s Malcolm Webster adds: “I use the webinars because I feel it is important to keep updating my knowledge in many areas of business, not just fencing. For example, the last two about employment and its requirements were very informative. Also, a previous one about pricing up jobs and working out your charge-out rates was really good.” The webinars are scheduled for a Tuesday evening in the hope that it is a suitable time for most people – post work, dinner and family commitments. “Because it is in the evening, it’s quite easy to sit in front of the computer to join these,” says Malcom.
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FCANZ out and about
Intermediate school breifing
FCANZ was delighted to support the Canterbury Agri Futures Clash of the Colleges competition at the New Zealand Agricultural Show held in Christchurch on Wednesday 15 November. Board member Craig Sinclair was joined by former Board member Lindsay Hayman, who kindly donated their time to spend the day encouraging 300+ Intermediate and Secondary aged kids to show off their wire tying skills as part of the Fencing Tie Off module – one of the 16 competition modules set up to reflect the diversity and opportunities available across the agriculture and primary industries sector.
It was fantastic to see many of the region’s Ag-studies kids demonstrating a solid basic skill set. Others needed some work on their technique but everyone who had a go enjoyed the opportunity to get their hands on some wire and get some practice in.
NORTH ISLAND
Best Practice Day Increasing the profile of fencing as a recognised profession and encouraging high levels of workmanship through knowledge and standards.
NORTHLAND Thursday 29 February 2024
Rural Fencing
Enjoy a day out with Fencing Contractors Association NZ and see best practice fencing techniques showcased in practical demonstrations throughout the day. WHO YOU WILL MEET
Northland
Industry Partners, FCANZ Board members, Health & Safety advisors; Tertiary Education providers and Fencing Contractors from across the region. *Subject to availability WHO SHOULD ATTEND Fencing Contractors, Fencer Generals, Horticulture workers, Farmers and those starting or interested in a career in a fast-growing industry.
www.fcanz.org.nz/events
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
Text: 027 432 2033
Call: 0508 432 269
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
Email: admin@fcanz.org.nz
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Business Staples Webinar: Recruitment and selection Being a business owner and an employer can appear a minefield at times, but with some basic tips, I hope to reduce some of the challenges and anxieties that can come with HR and employment law. First, I'd like to introduce myself: I'm Jaime Rose-Peacock, an HR and Employment Relations Consultant, and I own my own practice, Marbles (People and Culture Hub). I have a BBS/BA in Psychology and HR Management and am in the final year of my Master of Arts (Psychology). I have memberships with the Employment Law Institute of New Zealand (ELINZ), Human Resources Institute of New Zealand (HRNZ), and the Australasian Association of Workplace Investigators (AAWI), and these are important to me to demonstrate my commitment to staying updated with industry best practices.
Basic Employment Law Principles Before delving into recruitment and
selection, I believe that it is essential for business owners and Managers/ Supervisors to understand some
fundamental employment law principles: •
No prescriptive steps define what
a dedication to one organisation.
Contractors have the freedom to dictate their time off and may work for various organisations.
advantageous in several scenarios:
Good Faith (ERA Section 4) can
broadly mean honesty, sincerity of resolution of issues.
The Test of Justification (ERA Section 103A) requires any process that may
disadvantage an employee to be acted on fairly and reasonably.
The burden of proof is on employers to ensure that these processes are followed.
Hiring independent contractors can be 1. Specialised Skills: Contractors offer
specialised expertise for short-term or unique projects.
2. Temporary Work: Ideal for temporary, project-based assignments, avoiding long-term commitments.
3. Cost Efficiency: Contractors can be
cost-effective, as they don't receive employee benefits such as leave requirements.
4. Flexibility: Independent contractors provide flexibility in scaling the
Understanding Contractors vs. Employees This article should not be taken as legal advice but is based on my two decades' worth of experience in this field and the best practices I have learnt along the way. All situations should be dealt with individually.
which typically has fixed hours and
adhere to the Employment Relations
intention, and the fair and timely
•
Service’, e.g. an employment agreement,
When to Choose Contractors
Act (2000) (‘ERA’)
•
‘Employees’ work under a ‘Contract of
employment processes should look like in the workplace, but all must
•
use their tools and equipment, whereas
FCANZ News
In September this year, I had the privilege of presenting the first of three employment webinars to FCANZ members. This first presentation was about Recruitment and Selection. This article will aim to sum up the key points that came out of that session.
workforce as needed, with no
obligations for ongoing employment.
When engaging individuals to work for
Legal Implications of Hiring Contractors
employees and contractors. ‘Contractors’
It is crucial to understand the legal
provide specific services under a
employees, especially regarding taxation,
you, it's critical to distinguish between are self-employed individuals who
‘Contract for services’. Contractors
distinctions between contractors and
benefits, and contractual agreements.
Learning Outcomes In our session, we aimed to achieve the following learning outcomes: 1. Understand basic employment law principles. 2. Differentiate between employees and contractors. 3. Explore the various types of employment agreements. 4. Grasp the employee life cycle with a focus on recruitment principles.
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•
•
Different tax obligations for contractors and employees require proper tax reporting and withholding. Employees are entitled to benefits like paid leave (annual, sick, bereavement, family violence) and public holiday entitlements, while contractors generally do not.
Types of Individual Employment Agreements (IEAs) New Zealand law provides for several types of employment agreements to cater to the needs of both employers and employees:
should align with employment terms, and
approach recruitment with an open mind
It is also good faith to consult on policy
the areas where you can compromise.
changes should be reasonable and legal. implementation and changes even if you don't legally have to.
Employment Agreements are a legal requirement of employment. Individual Employment Agreements typically include various clauses covering terms of employment, duties, position description, place of work, hours, and remuneration. There are mandatory clauses that need to include the following; Parties, Terms of Employment, Reason for Fixed Term Position (if relevant), Duties (description of work to be performed), Place of Work, Hours, Remuneration, Public Holidays, Employee Protection, Employment Relationship Problem Process, Family Violence.
a recommended approach.
Process to Recruit
Policies play a vital role in HR
When you're ready to recruit, a good
reduce misunderstandings, and provide
structured path:
management as they set expectations, a basis for managing performance and
conduct consistently. They help create
recruitment process will often follow a 1. Job Description is written or reviewed: This defines the role, purpose,
a fair and equal work environment and
accountabilities, dimensions, and
should be aligned with employment
agreements to avoid contradictions.
working relationships.
2. Advertisement is placed: Strategically placing job postings through various channels such as Trade Me, Seek,
Social Media, Community Boards, and Professional Associations.
3. Initial Screening is completed: Sorting and shortlisting candidates based on
2. Fixed-Term Employment Agreement: Specifies a set period of employment commonly used for temporary projects with benefits.
Mandatory & Basic IEA Clauses
Hiring for attitude and training for skills is
Why Policies Are Important
1. Casual Employment Agreement: Ideal for irregular, short-term work with flexibility but limited job security. This is when an employer does not have regular or permanent work.
3. Permanent Employment Agreement: Provides ongoing, full-time, or parttime positions with job security and benefits.
and consider both the ‘must haves’ and
their CVs and applications.
4. Phone Screening is done: Initial
contact with shortlisted candidates to
assess their interest and qualifications (and if suitable, progress to interview).
Setting the Scene for Your Team
5. Application Forms are sent: Collecting essential information from candidates for reference checks and legal
Effective communication of policies and procedures is essential. Leaders should make employees aware of policies, ensure understanding, and employ
purposes.
6. Interviews are completed: Structured interviews with selected candidates,
various methods like induction activities, team meetings, individual reading time,
following legal guidelines.
importance. Policies must be easily
Interviewing Skills & Considerations
The Recruitment Process
are some good skills and techniques for
quizzes, and emails to reinforce their accessible and understandable.
Recruitment is a pivotal stage in the
employee life cycle, and it comes with
its own set of challenges, especially in a competitive job market. It's essential to
When you're ready to interview, there conducting effective interviews: •
Use of open and closed questions.
•
Appropriate use of language tailored to the audience.
Policies vs. Employment Agreements I will often get asked if an organisation should implement various types of policies. Policies and employment agreements serve distinct but complementary roles in HR practices. Policies are designed to set expectations and cover various aspects of workplace behaviour and regulations. While policies can be changed without employee consultation (if it's stated in an employment agreement), they
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inappropriate and breach the Human Rights Act 1993, and may lead to legal consequences. Instead, questions should be relevant to the job and not touch on personal attributes.
•
Active listening and tone.
•
Avoiding biases such as the ‘halo effect’.
•
Paying attention to body language.
•
Minimising distractions and maintaining punctuality.
Interview Questions Effective interview questions often revolve around behavioural-based
scenarios that require candidates to
share specific examples of their past
experiences. These questions provide a
clearer picture of a candidate's problemsolving abilities and adaptability.
No-No Questions Interviewers should steer clear of
discriminatory questions related to marital status, age, political beliefs,
religion, sexual orientation, or family planning. These questions are
Before progressing to an offer, it's recommended that you conduct background reference checks, drug testing, personality assessments, and Ministry of Justice (MOJ) checks. Medical examinations may also be required to ensure a candidate's suitability for the role. Clearly indicating these requirements in a letter of offer is essential, as it needs to state the potential consequences if they can't pass these tests (e.g. that the offer can be legally withdrawn without consultation).
FCANZ News
Background Checks and Preemployment Screening
Next Steps After successful interviews and reference checks, the next steps include making an offer of employment. This typically involves providing a letter of offer, an employment agreement, a position description, an induction pack, and relevant policies. Transparency and clear communication are vital during this phase. In our October session, we discussed different types of leave, managing performance and misconduct, and looking at different types of reward and recognition. You can log on to the FCANZ website www.fcanz.org.nz to view this session.
If you have HR or Employment Relations queries or requirements, contact jaime@marbles.org.nz or 0800 100 347.
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Save time and stress with appcontrolled electric fence system
“
Ōpunake dairy farmer Angeleigh Young is saving hours of travel time and stress by controlling electric fences on her family’s farming operation with the tap of a button on her phone.
to fix electric fence faults. It was time
Angeleigh manages a 160-hectare
is a fault or if power isn’t getting to the
dairy farm owned by her mother-in-law, Adrienne. She installed a Gallagher i
Series M6000i energizer to power up the property’s electric fence system, which she uses alongside Gallagher’s i Series
With the i Series Energizer System,
Angeleigh can control the power to
her fences with the push of a button on her phone.
“The system will also alert me when there fences. It gives you peace of mind the
fences are always working, and our cows
are where they are meant to be,” she says. “You can turn the fence off from
When Angeleigh’s husband Kieran is helping out on the farm, he can also control the fences from the App on his own phone. “Kieran doesn’t work on the farm every day, but sometimes he helps. For example, he manages our oxidation ponds, which are surrounded by fences. He has the app on his phone, which means he can drop the fences himself to manage the ponds without having to drive back to the energizer or call me, asking me to do it.”
anywhere, repair a fault and turn it back
electric fence system via her mobile
Angeleigh also knows when her mother-inon again when you’re done. No more law, Adrienne, is out workingRETAIL on theGOLD fences, NATIONAL RETAIL PARTNER PARTNER
or Wi-Fi connection, so Angeleigh can
the energizer on and off.”
Devices App.
milks 280 cows at peak, producing
App Gateway to control the farm’s entire
travelling up and down the farm to switch
because she receives an alert on her phone when the fences are powered off.
manage it all from the Gallagher Ag
The farm supplies Fonterra and Angeleigh
“It’s just so easy to use,” she says. “We
about 115,000 kg/MS per season. She
farm and two adjacent runoff blocks that
“I’ve also had contractors come and do maintenance work on the farm or deliver things when I’ve been busy. I can let them through by powering off the fences without even being on site. The system is such a time saver,” says Angeleigh.
“The next step for us is to install i Series
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phone. The Gateway enables Bluetooth
set up the energizer in the pump shed, which is about 800 metres from the
cowshed and installed the i Series App Gateway with a Wi-Fi connection. We
downloaded the app, connected to our Wi-Fi network, and it was ready to go.” Before installing the system, turning
the energizer on and off was a hassle. Angeleigh would have to travel back
and forth between the pump shed and
wherever she was moving stock or trying
16
consuming and frustrating.
You can turn the fence off from anywhere, repair a fault and turn it back on again when you’re done. No more travelling up and down the farm to switch the energizer on and off
ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
also breeds all their herd replacements
and has young stock, both on the home connect to the milking platform.
Fence Monitors at our runoff blocks so
we can monitor the entire electric fence operation in zones. Doing that will mean I will be able to monitor individual zones without having to travel the entire farm
looking for fence faults” says Angeleigh.
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
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Industry & Innovation
Customer needs driving innovation
One of many 4.8m posts being rammed into the South Canterbury soil
In March 2023, at the Kirwee Field days, the FencePro team had a customer approach them with a unique request. This conversation marked the beginning
showcase the high-end machines that
to the FencePro reputation, we had to
and the creation of what is likely the
our Telescopic machine in some of New
which are now available on the rest of the
of several new post driver technologies,
world’s tallest tractor mounted post driver. The customer was based in the South Island and needed a post driver that
could drive a 4.8m by 175mm post into
the hard South Island ground. Due to the posts needing to be driven in a precise
spot, having the machine mounted on a rotating base was also something that the customer wanted. Because of the
ground conditions, a guide hole was nonnegotiable, so a hefty 130mm rock spike
that could go at least 1900mm deep was also a requirement.
The FencePro team love a challenge,
and this request was a chance for us to WIRED MAGAZINE
we are capable of building, as well as test Zealand’s harshest conditions. It was also a way to show that we are serious about listening to end user’s needs and are
prepared to go the extra mile to make a project like this happen.
Within the FencePro team, there is a
dedicated team of design engineers who focus on developing and improving the FencePro range. So, once we got the
go-ahead on this project, it was a case of
getting the Research & Development team
to turn this concept into reality. After hours of discussions, design work, building and testing, the ‘Ultra T2X’ was born.
In view of this machine being able to meet the customers’ requirements and live up FCANZ.ORG.NZ
pioneer several new design technologies
FencePro range. The first was a 3.5 metre extension made to the Telescopic mast, and a new Ultraglide nylon slide rock
spike system developed to handle the
large 130mm rock spike. With safety also being a priority, the machine was fitted with a new safety gate system.
As one might expect, when building a machine like this there certainly were some challenges which we had to
overcome. One of these issues was
making sure that the rock spike guide
(the attachment that holds the rock spike) didn’t score the steel column that it slides up and down on. To overcome this, we
put nylon slides in the rock spike guide, ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
19
eliminating any steel-on-steel contact and successfully preventing this scoring. This nylon slide technology is now available across the FencePro range. With L GOLD PARTNER the machine being 5.2 meters high, and equipped with a 340kg block, it meant that there were some serious forces being applied to the bottom end of the mast and to the rotating base. To ensure it would be strong enough, we used CAD software to identify potential weaknesses within the design – and strengthen these up as required.
The Ultra T2X working alongside a smaller Ultra T2 + RB800 combo in South Canterbury
To ensure that this machine was safe and easy to use, we fitted the setup with all of the proven FencePro features that are included on our other machines. Adjustable nylon slides in the base and mastshift, nylon slides in the block, custom build valves and 350 grade mast, to mention a few. One new feature on this machine was a hinging safety gate that interlocks with the hydraulic valve bank, which means that the operator is unable to make the hammer drop at full speed when the safety gate is open. Just six weeks after the initial enquiry, the Ultra T2X rolled out of the FencePro factory, and the real-world testing began. Once the team was satisfied that it met the required standards, it was sent down to the customer to begin its work. Since owning this Ultra T2X, the customer has given us some really positive feedback. Several weeks after taking delivery of the Ultra T2x- the customer ended up ordering another slightly smaller setup (a standard Ultra T2 + RB800 combo) to add to their fleet. After using the new interlocking safety gate system they said “it isn’t frustrating to use, and now that we have used it, we would never get a machine without it.”
With an overall height of 5.2 meters, the Ultra T2X is a sight to behold
It’s ambitious projects like this which continue to drive innovation and improvements within the Fencing industry and help to continually improve the FencePro range.
Scan the QR code to watch a video of the Ultra T2X in work.
Article supplied by: Tobi Currie from FencePro testing the Ultra T2X
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
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Not all crimps are created equal NATIONAL RETAIL PARTNER
Strainrite Fencing Systems is world-renowned for manufacturing and distributing high-quality fencing tools and has what many avid fencers and farmers consider to be the best crimping tools in the market. Owning a quality crimping tool is one
thing, but ensuring you have the quality
crimps to go with it is another. Developed and manufactured in New Zealand by Strainrite, their unique crimp sleeves have a specially designed extruded
aluminium profile with proven consistent quality across every batch. Strainrite’s
crimps especially stand out due to the
water-resistant grit adhesive for use in
all-weather applications. Once crimped properly, at the breaking strain of the
fence wire, the wire will break every time, before the crimp.
You do not have to take Strainrite’s word for it. Live demonstrations over the past
RETAIL GOLD PARTNER
decades at Mystery Creek Fieldays have shown fence wire breaking with the crimps remaining intact. Hugh Morrison, Strainrite’s Fencing Specialist, is known as the star of the Strainrite instructional how-to videos, has a history of Judging Fencing Competitions and is a previous tutor at Taratahi Training Institute. “Crimp sleeves are an ideal option for the professional contractor, farmer or lifestyler. When comparing crimping to a conventional knot-tying method, such as the figure-of-eight knots, crimping can create a weak point on a wire that reduces the breaking strain to approximately half of its strength. This makes the crimping method the best option for wire joining,” Hugh shares.
For more than 40 years, Nick Liefting has been a legendary fencer. He has judged many competitions in New Zealand as well as overseas and has also placed highly in competitions himself. Nick’s passionate appreciation for fencing
inspired him to write his own book, “The Golden Pliers,” which takes the reader on a journey through agricultural and fencing excellence. “The 5in1 UltraCrimp is one of my favourite Strainrite tools to use. When I am netting, I particularly enjoy using crimps and my Strainrite 5in1 tool. The aluminium profile reduces tarnishing and extends longevity. Strainrite’s crimps and crimping tools are the only ones I have ever used as they are reliable and resistant,” Nick states. Nick agrees with Hugh, expressing “I choose Strainrite any day because it’s a one-stop shop with high-quality products.” With an option to suit most fencing wire types, Strainrite Crimps and Crimping tools are a must-have in your fencing tool kit while supporting NZ Made. Article supplied by:
NOT ALL CRIMPS ARE CREATED EQUAL
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
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Gear that packs a punch: enhancing your operations In the dynamic worlds of fencing contracting and farming, staying ahead of the game is a must. We’re thrilled to introduce our new brand look and game-changing products.
A fresh look: modern, clean, and dynamic Kyne Equipment’s new look is all about embracing innovation and modernity. It’s got clean lines, a slick design, and a vibe that shouts we’re on the cutting edge of progress. Our fresh look is a statement of our dedication to new and forwardthinking solutions. But hey, it’s not just about looks. We’ve refined our gear to match. We get it; your needs are always changing. That’s why we’ve made sure our products come with all the bells and whistles to tackle the challenges you face every day on the fenceline.
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The Kyne Tilter hitch The latest innovation in our product lineup is the Kyne Tilter hitch, a game-changer for tractor operators. This innovation was born from the people who know this stuff best – farmers and contractors. Whether it’s clearing waterways, maintaining ditches, or track work and clearing slips, the Kyne Tilter hitch has taken their needs and made them a reality. Kurt, a farmer from Wairarapa, is pretty excited about the Kyne Tilter hitch. He says he’d never be without it. It’s made working with his front end loader so much more user-friendly. He reckons every farmer should have one, and it’s not hard to see why. The Kyne Tilter hitch is thoughtfully engineered to be as compact as possible, so it seamlessly integrates with your tractor and gives you the most benefit. Also, it can be made to fit various hitch systems
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
like Euro, Pearson, Skid Steer, and more. So you can use the Kyne Tilter hitch with your existing equipment. The Kyne Tilter hitch is powered by the 3rd service. This feature enhances the hitch’s versatility and capability, allowing operators to tilt, lift, and manipulate attachments with precision. Our commitment to delivering personalised customer experiences remains steadfast. We understand that every customer is unique, and our team is dedicated to crafting tailored solutions that address your specific needs. Together, we’ll transform your operations, and maintain your leading edge. Your success is our success, and we’re here to help you reach new heights in fencing and contracting. Article supplied by:
ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
Industry & Innovation
In this article, we’ll dive into our new look and an epic piece of gear, the Kyne Tilter hitch, designed with feedback from farmers and contractors like you who wanted more flexibility with their front-end loaders.
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The New Dominator Rotational Base A natural progression from the Sidemount.
‘‘The Dominator Base gives me so much more movement without adding any weight to my setup.’’
400kg Total Base Weight
Hydraulic Toplink to Tractor
130 Degrees Rotation
Lockable Toolbox
Adjustable Nylon Slides
650mm of Shift
Can be Retro-fitted
2 Hydraulic Legs
Interested? Contact us for a retro-fit or full package deal www.kinghitter.com | 09 482 0866
YouTuber ‘Kiwi Farmer’ making the most of his new Kinghitter Post Driver
NATIONAL RETAIL PARTNER
The aim of this YouTube channel was to shine a positive light on Kiwi farming practices - as he mentions on his YouTube channel: “Our aim with our YouTube and Facebook accounts is to front foot the bad publicity, showing the general population that farmers are not environmental terrorists like we are painted out to be and we actually care deeply about the land we farm, our animals and our environment.” Over the past three years, Alistair has steadily grown the Kiwi Farmer YouTube channel and now reaches a global audience with over 11,000 subscribers and 177 videos. In July 2023, Kinghitter began a sponsorship with Alistair/Kiwi Farmer. Kinghitter provided Alistair with a Series 2i post driver, mounted on the new rotational Dominator Base, which was quite an upgrade from Alistair’s older Series 1 post driver. The new Dominator Base that Alistair is using has been designed by Kinghitter to make post driver placement easier and more efficient. With an impressive 130 degrees of rotation and 650mm shift capacity, it enables the operator to position the post driver pretty much anywhere behind the tractor with much greater ease and accuracy. This large range of positioning means less time spent repositioning the tractor, minimising downtime, and enhancing overall productivity. After doing some maintenance work in a pretty tricky spot, Alistair mentions in one of his videos: “So three posts done, in a pretty tricky place – I’ve been putting this off for a while, just because it’s not the easiest place to get to, but this machine is perfect for that.” It’s the smaller things which add up to make a big difference. Features like the hydraulic legs and hydraulic TopLink to WIRED MAGAZINE
“
I’ve been putting this off for a while, just because it’s not the easiest place to get to, but this machine is perfect for that
Industry & Innovation
Alistair Bird is a sheep and beef farmer based out of Oxford, Canterbury. Around two years ago Alistair started a YouTube channel called ‘Kiwi Farmer’.
Alistair Bird/Kiwi Farmer with his new setup and Kinghitter Representative Jack Barnes
the tractor enable the post driver to be lifted off the ground while shifting and positioning. This eliminates the post driver feet scuffing the ground and
keeps the whole machine stable while ramming. The lockable toolbox and
multiple accessory mounts help to make
fencing just that little bit easier every step of the way. Weighing just 400 kilograms, the Dominator is similar in weight to a
side mount base – another insight as to why this base is quickly becoming the
preferred choice for many contractors
will often lead to an increase in tractor adjustments. This constant back-andforth from the tractor significantly reduces efficiency. With the Dominator Base's rotation, shift and adjustment capabilities, you can position the post driver in the right spot with minimal effort, eliminating the need for repeated tractor movements. As Alistair says in one of his videos: “So if you have got the old rear mount, have a look at the Dominator Base, because it completely transforms your machine.”
Dominator Base as being a “self-
Looking forward, Alistair has got plenty of fencing videos coming up and will continue to make the most of his new Dominator Base. If these videos sound like something you might be interested in, or if you want to support Alistair in his mission to shine a positive light on Kiwi farming – make sure you check out the Kiwi Farmer YouTube channel.
What this base can do is very impressive.”
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looking for a lightweight rotational base to replace their side mount.
The adjustable nylon slides mean there is no steel-on-steel wear when shifting in/out, and the Ezi-Glide DX bushes
make for smooth rotation. After using the machine, Alistair referred to the
contained piece of kit, it’s awesome…
One area where the new features of this base are particularly invaluable is when it comes to one-man fencing. Using a
post driver base with limited movement FCANZ.ORG.NZ
Scan the QR code to check out Kiwi Farmer’s review of the new Dominator Base.
ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
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FEATURE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Husband and wife fencing team leading by example
FEATURE
While we’ve been busy running our business that we started in 2018, it has always been one of our goals to work towards becoming Accredited Fencing Contractors’ through FCANZ. Last year, the September intake for the Certificate in Fencing (Level 3) course started in Karapiro, near Cambridge.
We decided that this was our opportunity to get ourselves involved, and also offer this opportunity to our staff. So, before we knew it, we were enrolled with NorthTec Te Pūkenga. Over the next 35 weeks, we then worked towards getting our qualifications. While some of you would think that it’s a risky game fencing with your husband, we actually work quite well together. In the early days, I struggled to even put on an insulator, but these days, I can just about do it in my sleep. So, it was very natural to decide to complete the fencing course together. It has its advantages as you can assist each other with taking photo/video evidence of each other’s work, and you can also plan who is taking the lead on what jobs to ensure that you document all the evidence required.
Our written bookwork was a different story. We would often complete bookwork at the same time and share differing opinions on what the answer was, discussing where the other found the information for their answer. Doing the course has provided me with access to some excellent resources for when future staff complete the course. I printed the Power Fence Systems manual from the Gallagher website, as well as ordered a hard copy of the Fencing the Proven Way manual from WIREMARK®. I’m glad I did print these guides off, as we had a computer glitch and all our digital bookwork was lost, so I was able to help our staff member by giving him these so he could redo his bookwork. Thankfully, I’m more old school and had printed ours off, so I still had a hard copy.
Post and Rail Bugle screwing
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FEATURE
Having some externally provided training is a bonus as it helps to back up any internal training we offer
I found with the bookwork that often I would know how to do a task, but I didn’t always know the technical name or reasons behind it. Steve often had great satisfaction in telling me he already knew the answer, but that’s what 17 years in the fencing industry does to you. Steve’s had to learn to work it out as there wasn’t the training there is today. Getting staff involved in the course, not only helped to create a strong standard within the fencing industry but also had the bonus that staff could gain unit standards in things like chainsaws, tractors etc. Having some externally provided training is a bonus as it helps to back up any internal training we offer.
Steve putting in a strainer post
If you’re a school lever and want to enter the fencing industry, I’d recommend calling around your local fencing contractors, mention that you want to complete this course and see if they will invest their time into your future and take you under their wing. This would give you the opportunity to gain some skills before completing the course, and it would give you a variety of work to help assist you in collating all the photo and video evidence required to pass the course.
As for Steve and myself, we are extremely proud of ourselves and our staff member Arvind for putting in the hard work to gain the Certificate in Fencing (Level 3) qualification. Steve and I will definitely be enrolling in the Level 4 Certificate in Fencing course in 2024. Article written by Sarah Collins
FEATURE
“
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
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FEATURE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Encouraging the next generation of fencers One of the goals of the FCANZ strategic plan is that fencing is chosen as a career. A key part of delivering this goal is being involved in career expo opportunities for secondary students.
FEATURE
This often sees FCANZ Board members or representatives attending careers days at secondary schools such as the one held at Kamo High School in Whangarei in October. FCANZ is also a regular exhibitor at the Agri Futures events held as part of the Clash of the Colleges event series. Originally only available at the Rural Games in Palmerston North, the Agri Futures and Clash of the Colleges programs have been rolled out to two other events around the country. The Christchurch Agricultural Show hosts one of these events every November, and the newest event is held at Auckland’s Mount Albert School in September. Phil Cornelius, current FCANZ President, states, “As an Association, we are 110% behind the work that’s happening within the secondary school careers space. Being involved in secondary school activities and highlighting fencing as a career is really important for our industry. For a long time, it’s been considered a job that anyone could do, which is technically true. But what is important is that people know that it’s an option right
Kamo High School
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
Geraldine High School PIS
from the outset, and that they can make a really good living and build a successful business within this industry. Fencing can be a career in its own right, not just an add-on to other work that you do.” A great example of collaboration in the secondary space is the relationship between FCANZ and the Geraldine High School Primary Industries Academy (PIA). Under the guidance of Head PIA teacher Sarah Foley-Smith, PIA students have been heavily involved in supporting the cyclone response throughout the year. Students not only have been in Hawke’s Bay over their holidays to help re-fence, they also attended the FCANZ refencing day in May. Not only that, they held a hangi fundraiser at school and raised $5000, which they donated to the FCANZ Cyclone response “Help A Mate, Buy a Gate” campaign.
the creation of the National Certificate in Fencing. Offered at both Level three and Level four, these nationally recognised certificates are an excellent stepping stone for those who are looking to improve their employability within the rural fencing sector. FCANZ Board member Donna Upton is also the National Course Coordinator for the courses. “Over the past few years, the Association has worked closely with NorthTec Te Pūkenga to deliver these qualifications in the rural fencing space. So far, we’ve put through 106 students in the time that it’s been running, and we look forward to seeing many more come through. It’s great to see the confidence that students gain when they succeed and complete their certificate,” said Donna.
While the majority of these secondary school activities have undoubtedly been within the rural sector, the FCANZ trailers in both the North Island and the South Island allow students and those interested in the industry to learn a bit more about the other types of fencing, including residential, urban and security.
FCANZ plans to continue encouraging the choice of fencing as a career in the coming 12 months. “We look forward to getting out and about next year to more events and talking to more students about what we think is one of the best careers on the planet - though we might be slightly biased” Phil jokes.
Work has also been undertaken to help those who may be looking to change career or specialise in rural fencing with
Article written by Jaime Bigwood
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FEATURE
New skills creating newfound pathways Hi, I’m Cory Jones. I am a 25-year old fencer from Tokoroa in the South Waikato. I have been fencing for 4.5 years – starting out in Otago with Custom Fencing, before moving home to start Jones Agri Fencing.
FEATURE
I am currently completing the Certificate in Fencing Level 4 course after finishing Level 3 earlier this year. The Level 3 course is mainly directed towards the basic aspects of fencing, including tractor maintenance, health and safety, tools and standard fencing techniques (knots, stays and different styles of fences) whereas the Level 4 course is more pointed towards people management, quoting and designing fence lines and yards, which is very helpful for new business owners. I was pleasantly surprised with some new skills I learnt from the days with reps and talking to other fencers on these courses. I decided to be involved with these courses to start on the pathway to becoming a Certified Fencer. Before becoming a fencer, I did my time and became a qualified builder. I see the pride and accomplishment in becoming qualified in a trade and think it’s a great way to get people into our industry. These courses are a very achievable way for people to upskill and earn qualifications for the hard work they do. The tutors for both Level 3 and 4 have been awesome. Greg Burton (the tutor for my Level 3 course) is a very knowledgeable man and goes out of his way to share his wealth of knowledge. He is someone I still go to now for advice with being a new business owner. David Horner, my tutor for the Level 4 course, is very helpful and also goes out of his way to offer his help. Both are happy to take time out of their days to spend time with everyone, to help with anything from basic to top level skills in the industry. One of my favourite things from these courses is meeting other like-minded people who have a similar passion for the industry and are happy to bounce ideas and discuss different ways to achieve the best possible job we can do.
Being a new business owner last year, it was hard to have two days at course a month. But I am glad I made it work. And the idea of being able to say I’m a Certified Fencer and give my staff the same opportunity makes it something we wanted to be a part of.
The only thing I struggled with was the time off work for the Level 3 course.
I’m stoked with how FCANZ is helping to get the fencing industry the recognition that it deserves as a trade. For anyone on the fence about doing these courses, jump in and get amongst it. Help FCANZ
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push us to be leaders in our industry and get our staff the recognition they deserve for the hard work they do for us. Cheers, Cory. Article written by Cory Jones
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FEATURE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Industry training key to moving business forward
For Manawatu-based fencing contractor Wilton Weeks, completing the industry training has been an effective way to improve how he runs his business. Wilton Weeks, 28, is based in northern Manawatu and has been contracting full time for three years. Before he went out fencing, he was shearing and did some fencing in the off season, originally for a contractor and then out on his own. He got his first taste of fencing as a cadet at Smedley Station in Hawke’s Bay. From here his passion for the trade grew. He began competing in fencing
competitions, which he found a great way to develop his skills, pitting himself against fencers from around the country.
FEATURE
This year, Wilton decided to take another step forward in completing the New Zealand Certificate in Fencing (Level 4) provided through NorthTec in conjunction with FCANZ. He finished the 31-week course in November. The course is aimed at experienced fencers and covers the whole gambit of running a fencing business, including designing and constructing fences, interpreting a livestock yard design, constructing yards to meet client requirements, and developing the knowledge and skills to lead a team and manage client relationships. The course is carried out online with weekly zoom meetings with the tutor, which Wilton said made it very flexible to work around. “This has worked in really well with work and other parts of life.” Wilton said he had originally decided to sign up to the course as it was a requirement to gaining accreditation with FCANZ. “But I have really enjoyed what I have learnt during the course. It has helped me to develop good book work habits and has taught me how to run my business in a far more professional manner. “It has also been good for reflection on my performance both personally and as a business.”
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FEATURE He said the most challenging part of the course was getting back into studying after a number of years out in the workforce. “Even at school I was not very good at motivating myself for study, but by setting a time every weekday to sit down and study or do business bookwork, I have worked through the course easily. He had also found he was far more on top of the business work through as a result. “This is a habit I intend to continue.”
“
The other good aspect of being on a course with like-minded people is it is a good chance to discuss ideas and how to overcome some of the common problems faced in business
Wilton said the tutor had been instrumental in getting the course done. “Our tutor has been really good at teaching and helping us through the course. The weekly sessions are good for keeping everything fresh in our minds, and helping with any questions or issues the students are facing.
FEATURE
“He is also readily available for one-onone sessions over the phone, and to help outside of our zoom sessions. David has also been a wealth of knowledge in other parts of business not covered in the course and I have taken a lot away from our discussions.” Wilton said it was also a chance to network and discuss ideas with other contractors in the same boat. “The other good aspect of being on a course with like-minded people is it is a good chance to discuss ideas and how to overcome some of the common problems faced in business.” Wilton is excited for the future and said with the training completed he can see the path to reaching his goals. “This course will and has already helped towards growing my business and carrying out the business side of my work in a more professional manner.” And he’s not done yet. “My goal is to work my way up the FCANZ qualification ladder to create a point of difference and a standard for my business, and for me this is the first step.” For Wilton, fencing is an extremely satisfying job that covers a broad range of skills and trades, from earthworks and machinery operation to engineering. “No two days (are) the same. This not only makes it a really interesting job in its own right, but is also a great opportunity for young people who aren’t quite sure what
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Photo credit: New Zealand Fencing Competitions
they want to do as a career to get out, learn some skills and find what they’re really passionate about.” He felt for many, fencing was not considered a highly skilled industry and fencers didn’t get the recognition for the broad range of skills and experience they carry. “I really support FCANZ and NorthTec in creating an official qualification and pathway to recognise fencers and their skills. This will also set a standard for the entire industry to live up to.”
“When starting out in business or a leadership role there is a lot that this course covers that would otherwise have to be learnt by trial and error. “I believe having the opportunity to do this course when I first started out in business would have saved me a lot of hard work and mistakes.” Article written by Rosa Watson
He highly recommended the training to anybody wanting to progress in the industry.
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS STAY SAFE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT THROUGHOUT 2023
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FEATURE
A tutor’s perspective Who? •
John Noakes
•
Based in rural Motueka on a lifestyle block with my wife Carol, running a few beef and sheep.
•
Self-employed fencing contractor doing a variety of rural, security, industrial, residential fencing and everything in between.
•
I promote the fencing industry New Zealand-wide at Field Days and MC’ing Fencing Best Practice Days.
I set a high standard of workmanship and enjoy sharing knowledge, which led to me being asked if I would like to tutor one of the first Certificate in Fencing (Level 3) courses for NorthTec | Te Pūkenga in the South Island, about four years ago.
I enjoy getting on with people and sharing knowledge; the offer seemed a great next step to take. What I enjoy about tutoring is the variety of people I meet from all ages and areas - ranging from very experienced fencers to new members of the fencing industry. You never stop learning and sharing ideas.
Training in Oamaru, electrics
I make mistakes as easy as anyone, but the right thing to do is to go back and put them right. When you make a mistake, learn from it and share it with others. It’s a learning curve. Work as a team. It’s attention to detail that wins out. Going to Fieldays and watching competition fencing will help with technique and take you to the top of your game. Make sure you attend FCANZ’s Best Practice Days, as you will get heaps out of it – there’s a wealth of knowledge to be gained from FCANZ Partners and other contractors from around the country. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Some of the best moments I’ve had while tutoring have been seeing students work in all the different and amazing countryside and types of ground conditions, from drilling solid rock to silt, and everything in between. From flat land to high country, it all has its challenges.
FEATURE
At times, it can be challenging taking people from the level of work they do, to the higher quality of workmanship that is necessary to achieve Level 3 & 4 qualifications. Enhancing students’ learning, to me, is sharing ideas and treating people how you want to be treated. It goes a long way in life. competition at the Kirwee Field Days, and to witness one of my Level 3 students, Michael Conijn of Custom Fencing (Dunedin), receive the Trainee of the Year award at the FCANZ Conference this year. Michael is a great team player, doing outstanding work. The women attending the courses show great attention to detail in their work. If you’re coming into the fencing industry, gaining the Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications will be a huge benefit to you and your business – it proves you have attained and demonstrated a high standard of knowledge and workmanship, with attention to detail.
Memorable moments
Setting high standards and holding qualifications has got to be great for the fencing industry. The world is your oyster; get out there and go hard (with health and safety at the forefront of all activity, of course).
One of the best feelings ever is to see seven of my students (including Amanda Beckham) enter the NZFC fencing
Cheers, Noksee.
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Michael Conijn (FCANZ Trainee of the Year) with sheep yards he designed and built
What other career offers you the ability to have a new office every day!?
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Article written by John Noakes
ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FEATURE
An important step to reaching goals “With fencing, there is the benefit of visual
Based just south of Pahiatua, Emile, 33, has been in the agricultural industry since he was 16 years old.
once he started it and structured it into his
He started out as a fencing contractor nine years ago, and established Omata Fencing in 2016. “Before that, I worked for a few different contractors in the lower North Island and in the South Island.” He developed a taste for fencing while at Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre back in 2007, and saw the opportunities it offered for self-employment. “After shepherding for 10 years, I realised if I wanted to buy my own farm, I would need to have more control over my income.” He said he enjoyed that fencing took him around the countryside, seeing a range of farming operations through the back gate. It was also a hugely rewarding job seeing projects come together to completion.
progress every day, and I enjoy being able to look back at a fence that I have done with satisfaction.”
Emile completed the NZ Certificate in
Fencing (Level 4) this year and found that schedule, it was easy to get through.
“The course was completely online so really easy to complete. (There were)
been the biggest challenge, with a busy life on the farm, running the business, and family. “I find I work best early in the morning, with a coffee, well before the kids get up, and it’s still dark outside.” Emile said the Level 4 tutor had brought an exceptional amount of expertise and experience to the table.
tutor was always available for email and
“He was probably overqualified for the job. An absolute wealth of knowledge and really easy to understand. He has run both large-scale corporates and small businesses.”
Emile started the course as part of working
Industry training was helping to reach business goals, Emile said.
weekly Zoom meetings with the tutor and classmates to see how everyone was
getting on with their assignments. But the calls if you needed help.”
towards being an Accredited Fencing
Contractor. He had previously completed
parts of the Level 3 course over the years through Primary ITO courses.
He said industry training had given him
valuable tools for running his business. “I enjoyed fine-tuning parts of my business that needed it. We got some really helpful resources that we will continue to use in
a modern-day business, especially in the current climate.”
With a young family, Emile said finding the time to get the assignments done had
“Completing the course is a step in the process of becoming an Accredited Fencing Contractor through FCANZ, which has been a goal for a really long time, and could possibly aid my position when tendering for larger corporate jobs.” He recommended the course for anyone who sometimes worked in their business too much and not on their business enough.
FEATURE
For Manawatu fencer Emile de Greeuw, completing industry training through NorthTec is a stepping stone to reaching his goals.
“This course makes you take a step back and figure out what your point of difference is when tendering for jobs, and recruiting and retaining staff.” Emile has a clear set of goals for the future that he said industry training had helped him work towards. Owning his own farm was at the top of that list. “My plan is to use the accreditation alongside my reputation to become a preferred contractor to more corporate or commercial primary industry businesses, and eventually work exclusively on a value-based pricing system instead of traditional hourly-rate work. “The fencing business will always be a vehicle for the end goal of farm ownership.” Article written by Rosa Watson
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Progression of Certificate in Fencing Level 3 and 4 at NorthTec | Te Pūkenga
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 restructure of the training
organisation that is happening at present makes it all the more difficult to navigate.
Level 3 Course Assessment needs to focus on
capturing naturally occurring evidence, so we can be certain standards are consistent across a range of job
environments. A digital portfolio using the trainee’s own mobile phones has been created, which should make this easy.
Most contractors and their staff, capture their work on social media platforms
already, so this serves to capture the same.
The first intake of the Level 4 course that rolled out in March is looking to have a 50% pass rate.
Maintaining momentum
- The course would be “unified” - giving other Te Pūkenga institutes the ability to grab it and run with it – the industry then has lost control! Unification is a core principle of Te Pūkenga.
Having the support from the industry, - ITOs would at that point want the and two-way communication between course in their portfolio and it would be trainers, trainees and coordinators, will run as profitably as possible keep the momentum going. If people want courses in specific areas, we can Ongoing course delivery arrange for that to happen, as long as - Improving course delivery will just we have at least 10 students to make happen, as long as tutors and students the courses viable. For Level 3 in the are sharing ideas and issues. South Island, we are working on running - Many people don’t understand the a course in Christchurch and Dunedin work behind the scenes in compliance and working them concurrently, so the that needs to be done to run a course. trainers can travel through, and complete Yes, much is what we consider site visits up and down the island whilst NATIONAL RETAIL PARTNER RETAIL GOLD PARTNER ‘superfluous bullshit’. But it has to be travelling to the block courses. done. The more times the course is run in the same locations the easier it should become. Courses need more
“
students. Te Pūkenga are collating some ‘good stories’ to highlight the benefits for employers to get their people trained
- It needs to be remembered that the course can always be “overtaught” - if students/tutors feel something should be added to the course, then at the next formal review it will be considered.
found whilst coordinating the courses is
Apprenticeships
- We are unable to take any subject/ assessment away from the course until a formal review is undertaken.
to ask for help if they don’t know how to
The biggest issues in allowing fencing to be aligned to an apprenticeship are:
As the course stands now and going forward
- Both courses have to be completely rebuilt to be Unit Standards rather than Achievement Based - this is a minimum 12-month process
- Courses need more students. Te Pūkenga are collating some ‘good stories’ to highlight the benefits for employers to get their people trained.
- Unit standards are a pass or fail. They do not reflect excellence at all.
- If the industry and course providers keep pushing and highlighting the advantages of the qualification through advertising, it’ll happen.
One of the inherent problems I have
the lack of self-help. Learners struggle
upload photos or videos of their evidence for both Level 3 and Level 4 courses. The tutors are there to aid 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.
Engagement and participation Trainees need to keep engaged in their own learning and development. Future
courses will have more time allocated for trainers to run short online sessions, to
help trainees keep up with their program and form stronger trainer/trainee relationships.
The overall enrolment for the courses
- 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.
in Level 4, however participation is low.
- 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.
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has grown from 11 in the 2018 pilot to over 50 in the courses that are being
coordinated at present through Level
3, and we see good numbers enrolled
Training & Events
This update is based on “what we have learned” and “what can be done to improve” – essentially let’s take a strategic approach and review/plan/ implement.
- Certified Fencers and Accredited Fencing Contractors will be advertised more and more, as regulation in certain entities (particularly local government) becomes more prevalent, the more purpose these courses and processes will have. Article written by Donna Upton National Course Coordinator
ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
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Fencing trendsetters Fencing has been a very solitary vocation and still is to a certain degree, with people tucked away, working on their own in hidden away places. But then along came the New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays in June 1969, at the Te Rapa Racecourse in Hamilton, the first and now largest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere. And how could you have an agricultural show without having a fencing competition? So, the forerunner of what we have today, the prestigious Golden Pliers™ fencing singles championship, was birthed. Not only the first of its kind in New Zealand, but also the world. For the first time these gully runners, mountain men - call them what you like - had to pit their skills against other like-minded men. I say men, as it was very much a male dominated sport, unlike today, with many women not only in the trade but entering fencing competitions. The exciting part about competitions and broadly speaking, any competitions, is the sharing of ideas, development of new tools and systems to both make the job easier and efficient, and more obviously, to improve the quality which happens anyway.
In the earlier years, there would have been a quick succession of the implementation of new developments and slowly petering off over many years, until now, we only see real minor changes. I first arrived at the Fieldays in 1975, and what I observed then, to what we see today, was what we could probably best described as ‘a lot more antiquated’. The equipment has a story of its own, as Strainrite was not the household name as we know them today.
Although I wasn’t there, being in my first year of secondary school, I can only imagine the talk over a ‘cold one’, at the completion of the first competition at the Te Rapa Racecourse. Most of the guys would have met for the first time, including the Judges.
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•
For many of the early years of fencing competitions, the only reliable hole digger was a Mate Post Hole Borer. This was produced by Atkinson Industries of Whanganui, and was a grunty, slow turning, noisy machine.
•
Strainer holes were dug using a 250mm auger with extension. As competitors were chasing the elusive time points, looking for ways to
Spinning Jenny and Mate post hole borer
Spades •
The only spades commercially available were the garden variety you see at the DIY outlets.
•
We all commonly scouted second-hand shops to pick up old Spear and Jackson spades, and then proceeded to weld in steel handles to our own customised specifications.
•
Today we have numerous companies making fencing spades, including post driver manufacturers.
Rammers
Competitors in the second National Fencing Field Days Competition
Post Hole Borers
•
The only rammers that were commercially available were a cast steel head (similar to Strainrite’s) with a wooden handle. Well, I don’t have to tell you how long that would last before pipe handles were hastily installed.
•
In those years, most rammers were self/tailor made.
•
Today, along with Strainrite, there are many very functional rammers commercially made by various companies including post driver manufacturers
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
speed up the hole digging became paramount, and these Mate gear boxes were progressively adapted with larger and larger chainsaw power heads, which also led to larger augers, up to 300mm diameter and fully flighted up to 1.50m. One of the biggest advantages was that the augers were high spinning which was an integral part of picking up that extra time.
The men who made the difference As with all trades and sports, which I regard this as, there are always people who are innovative and proactive in the development of such innovations. Some that I believe who have made a considerable impact I would like to mention and outline below:
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Bill (Albert) Schuler
Bill (A.W.S.) Dawson
Earlier example of multiple wire dispensers
Felix Davy
Felix was the first to bring on board the wheelbarrow, entering the first competition in 1969. Felix was also controversial in installing vertical stay blocks, which worked under the pressure testing and are widely used around the country today. He was instrumental in setting the judging rules which, by and large are still in use today.
“
The exciting part about competitions and broadly speaking, any competitions, is the sharing of ideas, development of new tools and systems to both make the job easier and efficient
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Bill competed in the first competition in 1969 and soon started ‘scratching his head’ to see where he could improve, so the ‘profit stick’ (his words not mine) - a PVC rod for post spacing was introduced. One of his proudest moments was when he realised how brittle high tensile wire was and consequently came across how to break it off without using a wire cutter. I remember myself demonstrating alongside him at Fieldays and being very much in the infancy of the snapping off technique and the crowd response was very much a ‘wow’, and we still see that today. Good on you Bill. With 9 wires introduced in the earlier competitions, this had a spin off effect around the country, with farmers wanting to do just that. Of course, Bill didn’t mind running 7 wires but 9? (Common now!) There had to be an easier way. So, with his flat deck Series 2 Land Rover and a 9-wire stack of Jennys, the multiple wire dispenser was birthed.
Earlier years of wire tensioning using a spring balance
to Franklin Machinery in Pukekohe, which was a large gate hardware and galvanising company which has since been sold to Gallagher. Tension gauge manufacturing is now undertaken by Strainrite.
Tools •
The biggest development here is with the advent of Lithium-Ion battery powered tools. I have seen earlier Golden Pliers Champions hanging gates using a brace and bit, which developed to petrol drills and now on to battery power. I remember Uncle Stan having an adaptor for his post hole borer, but that was Stan.
•
The pulley was first used in the earlier competitions and quickly progressed out into the field, as running two wires from one dispenser made a lot of sense.
Stan Woolston Stan comes from a very fencing orientated family, also being an uncle to a twice Golden Pliers Champion, and he works well under tension, being the inventor of the tension gauge. The earlier years of competition, the way of measuring wire tension was a little more cumbersome. A piece of 100 x 25 timber with two nails 40 inches apart and midway, the wire is pulled back half an inch with a spring balance and you multiplied that reading by 20. I am sure we can all thank Uncle Stan for his invention.
Training & Events
Probably best known as the father or Godfrey Bowen of fencing. Bill was the first to implement planing the stays, and achieve nil gaps around the mortice. He never used a post hole borer, opting to use his trusty wooden handle ‘Zero Skelton’ spade. His ‘claim to fame’ was setting a lot of the standards we see today.
There have been many developments over the years, and they are still continuing today, albeit they’re a lot less dramatic. It is more a work in progress now. Article written by Nick Liefting
Stan won the Inventions Award in 1979, and he sold the tension gauge rites
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Name Cory Jones
Course Certificate in Fencing (Level 3)
NorthTec | Te Pūkenga
Student Profile “I worked in the fencing industry for three years before I went out on my own and started my own business,” says Cory Jones. “When I saw the Certificate in Fencing (Level 3), I jumped on it straight away. I wanted to get qualified, to have that proof that I know what I am doing. It can make a difference to clients. It puts a big tick next to your name.”
a qualification gives them confidence in your skills and they know you’re reputable.” “The course itself is great. I was quietly surprised to find that I even had a few things to learn, finer details I hadn’t picked up in my years in fencing. Some others on the course were also experienced fencers and it was good to throw ideas around with them. I think that helped the newer fencers as well.”
Cory currently has two workers coming on board, both of whom he plans to also enrol on the course. Cory will be continuing this semester to undertake the Certificate in Fencing (Level 4).
“
It was definitely a worthwhile thing to do. It’s like any industry, there’s always change
https://www.northtec.ac.nz/ programmes/new-zealand-certificatein-fencing-level-3
“I want to support the course because I think it’s a good way to get young people into the industry, and it’s an opportunity for them to get something out of it rather than just being a fencer. It’s also good for when you take on new clients. Having
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How to:
Gravity Retaining Walls In our seventh instalment of our retaining walls feature, Nick Liefting takes us through the complexities of gravity walls. Crib Wall A crib wall is one of the oldest forms of retaining, which is, in simple terms, concrete or timber members crisscrossing, coupled with large aggregate fill and a very generous lean back.
form temporary or permanent structures as the need dictates. Footing preparation
As this is a gravity wall and depending on height, there is, and can be, a very high vertical ground loading, therefore a high KPA factor is required. However, a Geotech report coupled with an engineer’s design, will determine whether this type of wall is feasible.
Wall construction
There are only two different components to build the wall, which makes it simple. Header
This is what is placed on the footing first, at 90° to the wall line. It is very important when positioning the headers as they determine the final position of the top of the wall. Stretcher
This is what is placed in a notch at the front of the header and the back of the header, and runs along the wall line at 90° to the header.
As mentioned in my opening paragraph regarding why these walls are less likely to fail; the two main aspects are lean back and the free draining of any water, i.e. through the front of the wall.
Concrete Crib Wall
In all the years I have been constructing retaining walls, I have never seen a failed crib wall. Yes, I have seen broken and dislodged retaining members, but never a wall that has actually failed. I believe this is due to two very important factors, which I will touch on in this article. Crib walls are gravity retaining walls, constructed from interlocking, precast concrete components, or timber components. They are filled with free draining material and earth back-fill to eliminate the hazards of hydrostatic pressure build-up behind the wall.
Footing construction
As the retaining wall has a four vertical to one horizontal (4:1) lean back, this needs to be applied to the footing. The ideal footing is reinforced concrete, accurately screeded to grade and level, to avoid any imperfections whilst installing the wall units. See table below regarding different wall heights.
Timber Crib These walls are becoming increasingly more popular, and I must admit they are not as “backbreaking” as the concrete components. The timber is H5 pressure treated and comes with a 50-year guarantee against
Wall height
1.20m
1.80m
2.40m
3.00m
3.60m
4.00m
5.00m
Footing thickness
0.20m
0.30m
0.40m
0.40m
0.50m
0.50m
0.50m
Footing width
0.80m
0.80m
1.40m
Training & Events
As the wall increases in height, a large aggregate material is placed inside the crib units. It is best gently placed with an excavator, as we do not want any movement in the crib wall units as they are struck with the aggregate.
1.60m
1.80m
1.90m
2.00m
The open web construction and use of free-draining material, eliminates two common causes of failure in retaining walls, namely hydrostatic pressure build up and the destructive pressure of tree root systems. These walls are incredibly flexible and can easily be constructed to follow gentle curves, slopes, undulating terrain and around corners. The ability to dismantle and re-erect components quickly and easily as required, means crib walls may WIRED MAGAZINE
Timber Crib Wall
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•
rot and termite attack. The service life is well in excess of that.
•
Timber crib construction is much the same as for concrete crib. One of the disadvantages of a crib wall is the 1:4 lean back, particularly with, and if, land is a premium.
• •
MSE Wall This stands for mechanically stabilised earth, and also involves another form of wall: RSS (reinforced soil slopes).
In the case of a RSS wall, at the face of the wall, a portion of topsoil is placed The grid is folded over the topsoil/ end of compacted fill and returned to approximately 1.0m back and pinned down The next layer of grid is placed, and the above process is repeated
On completion of the RSS wall, the front topsoil face can now be hydroseeded, which allows the quick growth of grass
Both types of walls are almost identical in construction, except that the MSE wall has a veneer facing, for aesthetics only. These walls can be constructed to almost vertical. • •
A Tensar or Geogrid is placed horizontally
Good compactable fill is placed on top to a maximum thickness of 300mm,
Cast-in-situ form work with formply attached
and well compacted
MSE Retaining Wall
The MSE wall, as mentioned, has a veneer facing which is generally concrete panels of various aesthetic designs. These are fitted with brackets behind, and are fitted to ribbed reinforcing strips preset in the compacted earth layers. These walls do not have a drainage blanket at, or near to, the face, but as I have always maintained, drainage is paramount. The drainage is installed as a trench filled with drainage metal, which is placed behind the Tensar/Geogrid. At the base of the trench, a drain-coil is placed with 90° tee-offs leading out under the compacted fill to the front of the wall. It is best to install this as the height increases. As this can be a relatively easy wall to construct, I would still strongly emphasise the importance of having an engineer do the design, which is necessary over 1.50m high anyway, or lower if indeed there is a surcharge.
“ RSS Wall - Reinforced Soil Slope
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It is also important to know that concrete can only be placed in 1.20m lifts along the wall and vibrated, then going back to the start and with another 1.20m lift, up to 3.60m maximum.
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“
Cast-in-situ form work using 150x50 vertical timbers for the form
Cast-in-situ walls are capable of being higher than masonry walls, due to the fact that even with a 250 series block (250mm wide), it only gives a 180 thick block fill
Concrete Walls By concrete walls, I mean cast-in-situ concrete walls. The foundations for these walls are much the same as for a masonry wall.
Cast-in-situ walls are capable of being higher than masonry walls, due to the fact that even with a 250 series block (250mm wide), it only gives a 180 thick block fill. Masonry blocks are only a veneer and do not contribute greatly to the integral strength of the wall. It is also difficult to have a double layer of vertical reinforcing. Once block fill is placed, it cannot be vibrated, as it would blow the blocks apart. Process of wall construction: •
•
•
•
•
•
•
As with all concrete work, we need to install boxing, which is a term mainly used for pathways, house slabs, etc. Once cast-in-situ work is carried out, the term we use is formwork.
Shutters are generally constructed prior to arriving. These are made using a 17mm form-ply with a 100x50 or 150x50 (depending on height) frame, at 400mm centres.
Form-ply is a black colour and is specifically produced for just that. Upon removal, it leaves no imperfections (grain, knots), left by normal ply. Before installing, coat the shutters with form release agent. This makes for easy removal.
These shutters are bolted onto the concrete slab and also nailed together. It is best to carry out this work on the retained side of the proposed wall. Horizontal walers, e.g., 150x50, are attached along the length of the wall to the back of the shutters. There are two walers at 50mm apart. The lower walers will be close to the concrete footing and spread further apart up the wall.
Brace the top of the shutters to the back of the concrete footing, creating a plumb and straight line.
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Between the walers, drill 16mm holes. These holes are closer at the bottom, and the spacing can increase as we go up the wall. Say, for example, the concrete is to be 200mm thick, cut 200mm lengths of 20mm PVC and with 1.00m x 16mm threaded rods, place these through the PVC and on through the reinforcing steel and between the walers. Now repeat the process for the front formwork. The bracing will not be necessary.
With the 16mm threaded rods, place a large (100mm x 12mm thick) square washer against the walers and tighten.
-
Once shuttering is removed, the PVC conduits are easily tapped out of the fresh concrete.
-
These holes can then be filled with an approved epoxy.
It is also important to know that concrete can only be placed in 1.20m lifts along the wall and vibrated, then going back to the start and with another 1.20m lift, up to 3.60m maximum. If there is more height, this can then resume the following day. I have done a lot of concrete formwork, having used many different methods of formwork/shuttering etc, and have learnt waler and tie bar spacings from experience.
To help with aesthetics once the forms are released, fasten a 45° beading along the top and in any (what will be) visible corners.
A Structural Engineer will happily do a formwork design for you if you are not so sure. I have always over-waled and overtie bared, but have never had a formwork failure. When that vibrator hits the concrete, you can certainly hear all the creaking and groaning of the formwork!
For walls greater than 2.40m high:
For your information, with a 2.40m height and 200mm thick concrete, there is in excess of 10 Tonne horizontal load at the base of that 1.20m wide shutter.
Place concrete – the concrete is generally pumped and is important to be adequately vibrated. -
This will require additional shutters vertically.
-
Once this happens, we have what we call soldiers, which are vertical timbers, similar to the walers, to keep the shutters in a vertical alignment.
-
Training & Events
Wall construction
Article provided by Nick Liefting
Formwork must remain in place for at least three days before removal.
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U.S. Platinum Strainer Doubles Championship The USA’s first known farm/ranch handiwork competition was held in late August in Galax, Virginia, at the East Coast Fencing Rivalry (ECFR), which is a fencing event that was started three years ago by Derrick Cox.
The line up
This year’s event saw twenty-five
exhibitors, or ‘sponsors’ as they are
termed, with attendees coming from a number of States.
The fence line was designed to reflect the type of fencing US farm fencers
undertake, taking into account local
ground conditions (hard with rocks), with
king posts (strainers) being pre-driven and the post holes predrilled to 24 inches (600 mms) width, backfilled and tampered.
The Fence specifications were lines that were 100 feet in length (30 odd metres),
Pre-driven king posts, driven to 50 inches
in height. 8-foot long line posts were put in by hand, with post heights also 50 inches (1120 mm). 6 x strands of Bekaert brand 12.5 gauge high tensile wire with wire
spacings measured from the top of the
post down 10, 18, 26, 34 & 42 inches (look those up yourself) and wire tension 180
pounds (80 kgs). The brace assembly was
droppers from Kencove Farm Supplies. There was a time limit of 3 hours. A
exhorting the merits of using these types
Three teams lined up, Alex Masser
(Pennsylvania) and Jason Day (Virginia),
Zachery Cordrey and David Jordan (both
South Carolina), Luke Gibson (Indiana) and Sebron Jessrup (North Carolina).
Judges were Steve Sorrenson, who spent 21 years working for Bekaert, five years
with Soldlock and four years with Kencove Farm Supplies; Bryce Taylor (Taylor
Fencing), a one-time champion of the 2022
posts. The king and line posts were sourced ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
forward to growing this competition and of competitions to grow knowledge, and demonstrate the value of good
workmanship. The aim of this competition is to bring out the best of American fencing” comments Derrick.
The placings were: 1st
Alex Masser and Jason Day
2nd
Luke Gibson and Sebron Jessup
3rd
Zachery Cordrey and David Jordan
East Coast Fencing Rivalry machinery
The U.S. Platinum Strainer Doubles
Fencing), a fencing contractor from
event for an invitational line in the Fieldays®
competition; Rory Halliburton (Halliburton Tennessee; and Cody Cox, who worked
alongside Derrick for a number of years.
of the tools laid out behind the start
- to be installed evenly spaced between the
a positive response.
quality, especially for this first year.
mm) from the top of the king post down.
wooden droppers with wire clips were used
doing and questioned the techniques, with “It was a great experience, and we look
competition as the intent was to focus on
Impressive from the start was the lineup
In a homage to New Zealand fencing, oak
interested in what the competitors were
time penalty was not applied on the
a diagonal brace at each end with the top
of the strut (stay) measuring 19 inches (48
46
from Keystone Fence Supplies, and the oak
Championship is the United States qualifier Silver Spades Doubles Competition, so the winners will be competing in New Zealand at the June 2024 Fieldays®.
of pickups and the orderliness and range
The next day, five teams competed in
line. You would think these guys were
fencing competition, which has been
seasoned competitors, though Zachery
and David admitted to picking up their post hole borer that morning. The public was FCANZ.ORG.NZ
the East Coast Fencing Rivalry machinery held over the past three years. Added to the previous day’s judging panel was Alex Masser.
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FENCING COMPETITIONS FENCING COMPETITIONS FENCING COMP Brought to you by NZFC
Brought to you by Brought NZFC to you by
16 - 18 JUNE 2021
16 - 18 JUNE16 2021 - 18 JUNE
Getting down to business
Vehicle line up pre-start
Who will winWho the will Who win will thewin the Pliers™ Golden by Golden WIREMARK®? Pliers™Pliers™ by WIREMARK® by WIREM WIRE Will it be YOU? Will it be WillYOU? it be YOU? With a time-limit of 3 ½ hours, competitors had to start with sourcing their materials from stockpiles located at the bottom of the hill, so there was machinery movement in all directions while materials were laid and before the posting started. The fence line being erected was 135 feet (41 metres) with netting, plus a top barb wire, two end assemblies of the competitor’s own choice (the end assemblies only judged on whether they were installed correctly), and an 8-foot section of rail fencing at one end.
The placings were 1st
Luke Gibson (Indiana) and Sebron Jessup (North Carolina)
2nd
Roger Rhodes and Rodney Rhodes (Indiana)
3rd
Henry Shaull (Wisconsin) and Associate
FENCING COMPETITIONS Brought to you by NZFC
16 - 18 JUNE 2021
Article written by Debbie White
MYSTERY CREEK HAMILTON MYSTERY CREEK MYSTERY HAMILTON CREEK HAMI Tony and Debbie White travelled to the ECFR where Tony demonstrated rail work.
Oak dropper
8 am 14 JUNE Qualifying Monday 14 heats JUNE 8 am Monday Qualifying 8 am heats Qualifying heats 8:30 am Bill Schuler Final 8:30 am Bill8:30 Schuler am Final Bill Schuler Final NZFC FENCING COMPETITION dnesday 16 JUNE Wednesday 16 JUNE Wednesday 11:30 am Fieldays® Silver Staples 11:30 am Fieldays® 11:30 am Silver Staples Fieldays® Silver St Who will win the DATES 2024 Golden Pliers™ Singles Golden Pliers™ Singles Golden Pliers™ Sin ursday 8:15 am17 JUNE Thursday 17 JUNE 8:15Thursday am 8:15WIREMARK®? am Golden Pliers™ by Championship by WIREMARK® Championship byChampionship WIREMARK® by FENCING COMPETITIONS Will it 2021 be YOU? COMMITTEE MEMBERS Fieldays® Silver Spades Silver2023/24 Spades Fieldays® Silver Sp 16 - 18 JUNEFieldays® Southern Fieldays – Waimumu Friday 16 February 2024 day 8:15 am18 JUNE Friday 18 JUNE 8:15Friday am 8:15 am PRESIDENT: NigelDoubles Higgins Doubles Championship MYSTERY Doubles Champio CREEKChampionship HAMILTON King Country Saturday 10 February 2024 VICE-PRESIDENT: Petersen 14 JUNE Monday 8 am heats day 4 Rural pmGames 18 JUNE Prize Friday giving 18in the 42024 Village pm FridayGreen Prize 4Qualifying pm giving in Owen thePrize Village giving Green in the Saturday 9JUNE March 8:30 am Bill Schuler Final Leanne Stanger SECRETARY/TREASURER: 16 JUNE Wednesday am Fieldays®5Silver day From 18 pmJUNE Fencers/Sponsors Friday JUNE From Dinner Friday 5 pm11:30 Fencers/Sponsors From pmStaples Fencers/Sponsors Dinner Central 5 Districts Friday18 15 March 2024 CHIEF JUDGE: Owen Petersen Who will win the Training & Events
nday
Brought to you by NZFC
Golden Pliers™ Singles 17 JUNE Thursday 8:15 am Championship by WIREMARK® Golden Pliers™ by WIREMARK®? Saturday 13 April 2024 COMMITTEE Fieldays® Silver Spades Will it be YOU? 18 JUNE Friday 8:15 am National Fieldays 10-14 June 2024 Doubles Debbie White, ShaneChampionship Bouskill, Joelene Bouskill, MYSTERY CREEK HAMILTON 18 JUNE Friday 4 pm Prize in Beers, the Village Wayne Newdick, giving Paul Van Nick Green Liefting, 14 JUNE Monday 8 am Qualifying heats 18 JUNE Friday From 5 pm Fencers/Sponsors Dinner 8:30 am Sponsors Bill SchulerMatt Final - National Championship-Sponsors National-Championship - Jones, Mark Lambert, Tim Stafford, Tim
Entry forms out mid-March Entry formsEntry out mid-March forms out mid-March Cambridge
Sponsors -
16 JUNE Wednesday NZFC Hawke’s Bay Fencing Competition Results 11:30 am
Fieldays® Silver Staples Golden Pliers™ Singles Championship by WIREMARK® Fieldays® Silver Spades 18 JUNE Friday 8:15 am - National Championship Sponsors -Doubles Championship 18 JUNE Friday 4 pm Prize givingFor in thefurther Village Green details and competition entry 18 JUNE Friday From 5 pm Fencers/Sponsors Dinner 17 JUNE Thursday
1st
Matt Jones & Tim Stafford
2nd
Tony Bouskill & Shane Bouskill
3rd
Mark Lambert & Jeff Joines
4th
Troy Brooky & Martin Leveridge
Garrick, Mike Billinghurst, Cory Twigley Entry forms out mid-March
8:15 am
forms please ensure your email is on our Entry forms out mid-March database by contacting NZFC Admin, Leanne
- National Championship Sponsors -
Stanger – office@nzfencingcompetitions. co.nz or 0272009630.
Please check on FB for the Fieldays Fencing Competitions entry forms or email office@nzfencingcompetitions.co.nz
Please check on FB for the Fieldays Fencing Competitions entry forms or email office@nzfencingcompetitions.co.nz
New Zealand Fencing Competitions New Zealand Fencing Competitions Please check on FB for the Fieldays Please check on FB for Please the ch F Fencing Competitions entry forms or Fencing email Competitions Fencing entryCompet forms o office@nzfencingcompetitions.co.nz office@nzfencingcompetition office@nz ncing Competitions New Zealand Fencing New Zealand Competitions Fencing Competitions WIRED MAGAZINE
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
47
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27/10/23 10:47 AM
Why train staff?
‘Nah, it costs too much, they’ll figure it out.’ ‘They told me they could do it.’ ‘My staff aren’t worth it’. ‘It’s common sense!’ ‘A bit of pain will teach them, right?’ All common reasons we hear for not training staff in the use of plant and equipment, or how to stay safe whilst working for the company. Many workplace accidents are happening as workers don’t wish to say, ‘I’m not sure I can do that task’, or they don’t want to let you down, so will give it a go - sometimes with serious outcome.
Powerful Benefits of Employee Training & Development Trained staff can do a job well and safely, and have pride in the job they do. Training also: •
Increases employee performance
•
Boosts motivation and engagement
• • • • • •
Creates a stronger workforce Expands knowledge sharing
Fosters innovation in the workplace Improves company processes
So, who is legally responsible for ensuring you have the correct training and supervision for your task on site? Under the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 (the GRWM Regulations), a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the information, training, instruction, and supervision provided to workers is suitable and adequate.
Creates a stronger business brand to clients Aligns with organisational goals EXAMPLE FROM THE COURTS WorkSafe v Progressive Meats Ltd [2022] A 17-year-old worker operating a brisket cutter suffered partial amputation of his thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger on his right hand. The injured worker was trained to use the machine by a co-worker who started on the same day as him. The co-worker demonstrated how to use the machine with one hand. The Judge convicted Progressive Meats on the grounds that, while the company had comprehensive safety and training systems in place, and was driven by the need to maintain safe procedures in all areas, it had not ensured adequate instruction, monitoring and supervision of workers. Progressive Meats was ordered to pay a fine of $280,000 and reparations of $48,000 to the injured worker.
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FCANZ.ORG.NZ
ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
Business, Health & Safety and Environment
‘As soon as they know enough, they’ll be off, contracting on their own, after all my effort.’
49
•
Your workers - e.g., what is their skill level and depth of experience regarding the known work risks?
Using this information, work out what skills, knowledge and experience your workers will need to work safely. This includes what information and training is required for dealing with emergencies. Now work out what training, instruction, information, or supervision will be needed for workers to gain the skills, knowledge, or experience to work safely.
When the Training, Instruction or Supervision should occur
Failure in this duty could be costly if serious harm were to occur – not just to you but also to the worker and family of the worker harmed.
Work out when training/supervision will be required and how you will set aside enough time for this to occur (given the nature and risks involved in the work).
What Information, Training, Instruction and/or Supervision should you cover?
For example:
Different work activities can require different levels of information, training, instruction, or supervision. Certain work activities require higher levels of training or supervision for workers and others in the workplace to remain healthy and safe. This includes remote or isolated work – i.e. your typical rural fencing job. You must engage with workers when making decisions about procedures for providing information and training to workers. You must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, those who carry out work of any kind, use plant of any kind, or deal with a substance of any kind that is capable of causing a risk in a workplace: •
•
either have adequate knowledge or experience of similar work so they are not likely to cause harm to themselves or other people, or are supervised by someone who has the relevant knowledge and experience, and are adequately trained in the safe use of all plant, objects, substances, or equipment the workers are, or may be required, to handle, as well as all personal protective equipment (PPE) that the workers are, or may be required, to wear or use.
To work out what training (which includes the provision of information or instruction) or supervision you should cover, think about:
50
ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
•
The nature of the work carried out by the worker - e.g., what is the worker being asked to do? What is your workplace like in general?
•
The nature of the risk associated with the work at the time the supervision or training is provided - e.g., what kind of risks are there?
•
The control measures implemented in relation to the work being undertaken - e.g., what control measures are there already?
•
Will new inexperienced workers be intensively supervised until they are shown to be competent to carry out the tasks unsupervised?
•
Will new inexperienced workers be comprehensively trained for all tasks they may need to carry out in one go, or will they be trained/supervised on a task-by-task basis as needed?
•
Will experienced workers only be supervised for new tasks for the first time? Think about how you will alert supervisors/trainers/workers when specific training/supervision is required before starting certain tasks. Think about how you can alert workers
Consider: •
What your workplace is physically like - is it a quiet office, a busy workshop, a construction site, an outdoor environment, areas with lots of workers and members of the public nearby?
•
What does your work involve - what machinery, equipment, PPE, and substances are used? What are the control measures in place?
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
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•
Workplace Approved Code of Practice (ACOPs) for tasks - have these available and read them.
How to tell the providers of the Training/Instruction/ Supervision what must be covered Think about how to tell supervisors/ trainers/workers what the training should always cover, or how supervision needs to be carried out.
when certain tasks require training/ supervision - e.g., will you have warning signs on machinery or at workstations? You must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the training and information provided is readily understandable by any person it is provided to. Trainers and supervisors of workers should be competent. They can be in-house or from external organisations. Think about the best method of delivering training, instruction, or supervision. Consider your workers’ age and experience, their first language, any cultural differences, and the potential level of understanding of the workers. For example, if some of your workers find it difficult to read, information or training may need to be provided orally, or through pictures or demonstrations. They may also need to be supported by a buddy or supervisor. Key considerations: •
What level of experience / competence your trainers or
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•
Supervisors: what they need to do (e.g., will you have documented procedures?)
•
Trainers: what training is required during new worker inductions and for certain tasks (e.g., will you have documented training procedures or checklists of points to be covered during training?).
supervisors need to have. •
If your workers have previous experience with the work.
•
If your workers have poor literacy or English as a second language.
•
If your workers learn better one-to-one or in a group.
•
If the training/instruction should be paper, audio-visual, or computerbased (including using tablets or smartphones).
•
If there are relevant formal qualifications your workers could obtain (e.g., unit standards from NZQA).
•
How you will get your workers to show they understand.
•
How you could provide daily reminders of safe work practices (e.g., SOPs, posters or flashcards summarising the key points kept at workstations, and toolbox meetings) once the formal training is completed.
•
If your workers can follow plant and machinery manuals.
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
FINALLY, you must ensure that your workers have signed: •
Relevant Safe Operational Procedures
•
Read through the Workplace Risk Register
•
Completed Competency Checklists
Training & Events
Think about how you can tell:
Training is valuable - teams grow and learn together. Make training part of your business and stay safe out there. Ask your advisor for help accessing resources, or connecting with trainers. Luck runs out but safety is good for life. Take care out there team. Deb and the team at Rural Safe
www.ruralsafe.co.nz ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
51
Nine warning signs you can’t afford to miss
There are always warning signs in business before trouble appears, but unless you are actively looking for them, they can take you by surprise. In military training, they teach you how to look for warning signs that could affect the mission. They call this situational awareness. Potential threats might include the enemy’s position, the current environment, the shape they are in mentally/physically or position if things went wrong and what the next move would be. It’s the same in the trades business there are always warning signs when your business is headed for trouble. Having personally coached hundreds of trades businesses over the past twelve years, there are nine warning signs I look for. Deal with these early, and chances of success improve dramatically. Left too long, they can cause major problems at best and failure at worst.
Early warning signs: These usually start small but will become bigger over time if not dealt with. So,
tackle them early, and your business will
stay out of trouble further down the line. 1. Bank account is at low tide often
This is the one that everyone pays attention to. If I have money in the bank then I must be ok, right?
Not necessarily. If the bank account looks good, but you’ve just taken
some large deposits on jobs, or there are suppliers’ bills that have not been paid for yet, then things will look better than they are.
However, if the bank account
always seems to be low and you are
constantly scrambling for money then that is a bad sign.
52
ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
2. Owners not getting paid.
Not being able to pay yourself a regular wage as the owner. Time spent in the business either on the tools or organising should be costed into jobs so the money is there. Too many trades business owners in early years are making less than if they were working for someone else. There should be enough for a wage and a healthy profit as well. Same applies to your partner when they are working in the business. If cashflow can’t support their wage, it’s a sign that you are just not making enough for a sustainable business.
3. Confused by the numbers.
It’s essential that the numbers you see are accurate and being checked at least monthly. It’s easy to fix one month but hard to fix twelve.
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If you are finding that your profit and loss shows large profits one month, then big losses the next, even though not much else has changed in the business, it’s likely you are not including “Work in Progress”, which takes into account deposits on jobs or costs incurred that can’t be billed yet. Not watching the numbers or inaccurate figures is like flying a Boeing 747 with no instruments, while your copilot is yelling instructions as they are looking out the window. Dangerous! 4. Going in different directions
When the owners or the team are pulling in different directions. This could be owners being out of alignment on the big issues or a clash between management and staff. I am not talking about the odd disagreement here when looking for the best solution to a problem. That’s healthy and challenges wrong assumptions. But when there are core issues that can’t be resolved, deep seated family disagreements or frustrated team members who are working against the company’s objectives – that will cause major problems.
5. Discounting when things get quiet.
If work is a little thin on the ground, it’s tempting to discount jobs to keep the team going. But how low is too low? A mistake I see a lot is discounting to get that big job and then later discovering they have spent the last six months breaking even or losing money on it. Big jobs usually have a few surprises, and it doesn’t take long for extra hours to add up. A builder client I worked with told me at our first session he had completed a $800,000 job and made nothing out of it. That doesn’t happen to him anymore. Discounting margins to get the work, combined with growth, is a slippery slope. You won’t really know how profitable the job was until the end, so a buffer is essential. Larger companies can lose a lot of money here and may not realise until it’s too late.
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6. Collecting too many barnacles
If jobs are consistently taking longer than they should, this will be eating
away at your margins. Or you have too many clients who keep complaining about the price, trying to get something extra for nothing.
Like barnacles on the bottom
of a boat, left long enough they
“
I still see a lot of tradies’ financials that show incorrect margins because wages and other direct costs are coded as expenses rather than direct costs
accumulate, slowing momentum; over years they will also strip away the
paint and water will erode the metal. Too many barnacles will do this to your business too.
Late warning signs These are much harder to fix. At this
point, the business is in intensive care
and requires immediate intervention to survive.
Cashflow will be bad, and it’s likely losses have been accumulating for years; at this stage, time is running out.
7. Constantly being chased by suppliers.
Suppliers are chasing for money that is significantly overdue and some
have put the business on stop credit. Your front desk is hesitant to answer
the phone in case it’s another creditor asking for money they haven’t got.
Payment arrangements get made and then broken, losing further credibility. Paying for old jobs with new money from current jobs. Robbing Peter
to pay Paul, whoever is yelling the
loudest might get something. Jobs
are constantly delayed as materials aren’t available to finish the work.
8. Employees not getting paid on time. Not enough money for wages some weeks, pay runs are being delayed.
company to get paid. Costs are accumulating and lawyers are heavily involved, adding even more expense. The reality is that at some stage every trade business will experience some of the early warning signs in their business. This could be working through a small cashflow issue with a supplier extending payment terms or making an arrangement with the IRD to pay the GST this month. But if there is a cluster of these signs or they are happening often, then act early as they are much easier to fix now than later. Even at these late stages, the business can sometimes be turned around, depending on how big the deficit is and if there is enough profitable work to trade out of it. However, this often involves convincing lawyers, creditors, staff and the IRD to back your plan which can be a tough sell. I have coached companies who have traded out of these final stages, but sometimes it’s just too late, the hole is too big. Better to deal with the warning signs early, way less stressful and much better odds of success.
Lots of mistakes and callbacks on jobs as employees are no longer invested.
At this point, the team has lost
confidence in the business and is
likely to be applying for more secure
jobs. Some have already left and there is a lot of talk around town that the business is in trouble. 9. Legal
If you recognise these warning signs in your business and want to get ahead of them? Then book a free business checkup and let’s look at the numbers together. www.nextleveltradie.co.nz/nextstep Daniel Fitzpatrick
Owing a lot of overdue money to
suppliers and the IRD. One or more creditors have lost patience and
have taken legal action against the
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
Business, Health & Safety and Environment
I still see a lot of tradies’ financials that show incorrect margins because wages and other direct costs are coded as expenses rather than direct costs.
53
Young employees
In some areas, slightly different laws apply to employees under the age of 18 compared with adult employees. Employment agreements The same fair bargaining rules for employment agreements apply to both young people and adults. Young persons aged under 18 years can sign an employment agreement but it’s important that they receive help when agreeing to new terms and conditions. Potential employers must also provide a copy of the agreement to the intended employee, and give them the opportunity to take it away and get advice on the terms. All employees have the right to representation when dealing with their employer and they can choose anyone they want to represent them. Parents can be with their child when discussing employment matters with their employer.
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
Record the employee’s age in wage and time records As for all employees, an employer must keep accurate wage and time records for young employees. In addition, if the employee is under 20 years of age, the employer must also record the employee’s age in these records.
The current minimum wage rates (before tax) are as at 1 April 2023. They apply to employees aged 16 years or over.
“
Minimum wage There is no minimum wage for employees under the age of 16. Young employees aged 16 to 19 years can be paid a different minimum wage than adult workers, if the starting-out wage applies.
It is unlawful for businesses to employ school-aged students during school hours under the Education and Training Act 2020, unless they have a certificate of exemption
Type of minimum wage
Per hour
8 hour day
40 hour week
80 hour fortnight
Adult
$22.70
$181.60
$908
$1,816
Starting-out
$18.16
$145.28
$726.40
$1,452.80
Training
$18.16
$145.28
$726.40
$1,452.80
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
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Restrictions on hours worked If you employ any school-aged students (under the age of 16), their work hours must be outside of school hours only and in addition must not be between 10 pm and 6 am, including in times that interfere with the student doing school work. It is unlawful for businesses to employ school-aged students during school hours under the Education and Training Act 2020, unless they have a certificate of exemption. Failure to do so can lead to fines up to $1,000 for both the parents and the employers.
Using tractors or other vehicles An employer, or someone hiring a contractor must make sure that any worker under 15 years does not: •
drive any tractor and any vehicle, other than a car, truck, motorcycle or machinery that weighs 700 kilograms or less
•
ride on any vehicle when it’s towing or is attached to anything
•
ride on anything towed by or attached to any vehicle.
An employee must have a current driver’s licence before driving any motor vehicle on a road. A road includes any car park, yard, or other part of a workplace which has public vehicle access. There is a special exception for the agricultural sector which allows young people doing contract work who are over the age of 12 years to use tractors for agricultural work provided they are fully trained or being trained, or they live on the property.
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Employees under 14 An under 14-year-old cannot work as a babysitter, au pair or nanny without adult supervision because it’s an offence to leave any child under 14 unsupervised. Employees under 15 years An employee or contractor who is under 15 years cannot work: •
on a logging site eg a forest where trees are being cut down or processed
•
on a construction site
•
in any area where goods or hazardous substances are being manufactured
•
in any area where the work requires lifting heavy weight
•
in any area where the work being done is likely to harm the employee
•
with any machinery or assist work with any machinery.
These restrictions also apply to people under 15 years visiting the workplace. They don’t apply if the employee works at all times in an office in that area, or in any part of that area used only for selling goods or services. They don’t apply to visitors who are under direct adult supervision, on a guided tour or are in areas open to the public. Employees under 18 years An employer cannot employ anybody aged less than 18 years to work in: •
•
•
any restricted area of a licensed premises while that area is open for the sale of liquor, unless they are employed preparing or serving any meal, cleaning, repairing, maintaining, altering or restocking the area of any equipment, removing or replacing any equipment, stocktaking, or checking or removing cash direct access to gaming machines in gaming venues such as bars, taverns and clubs where a gaming machine society has obtained a licence to operate gaming machines sex work.
Employees under 20
Settlement agreements People aged 16 or 17 years may sign settlement agreements to resolve a dispute with an employer. These agreements will still be final and binding.
Checklist for employers Before your young employee starts •
Give them a start date and time.
•
Give them information they will need to know before starting.
When your young employee starts work •
Give them a copy of their employment agreement.
•
Get their contact details and give them yours and/or their supervisor’s contact details.
•
Get their tax number and ask them to fill in tax forms.
•
Get their bank account number for payment.
•
Record their age in your wage and time records (this is a legal requirement if they are under 20 years).
•
Introduce them to their workmates and supervisors, and explain their roles.
•
Explain what is expected of them with regards to workplace behaviour.
•
Advise them of hazards in the workplace and how to avoid being injured.
•
Advise them what to do in case of an emergency and show them where safety equipment is located.
•
Provide them with personal protective equipment (PPE) (if applicable).
•
Provide them with a uniform (if applicable) and explained the company’s dress code.
•
Provide them with training on how to do the job, taking into account their lack of working experience.
Article reproduced from Employment New Zealand www.employment.govt.nz
Under 20-year-olds can’t work in parts of casinos where gambling takes place, or undertake any gambling-related duties.
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Business, Health & Safety and Environment
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There is a special exception for the agricultural sector which allows young people doing contract work who are over the age of 12 years to use tractors for agricultural work provided they are fully trained, or they live on the property
Age restrictions on where a young person can work
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Making finance easier for SMEs Alistair Doyle (UDC Finance Regional Manager – Commercial for Auckland and Northern Region) discusses how small and medium sized businesses can get the best out of a lender in these challenging financial times. When considering finance as an SME, you will reap the benefits if you get the basics right first time. First and foremost, have a plan. Know where you want your business to go and what you need to do to get there. “It is important that you demonstrate you know your industry. Successful SMEs tell us that you don’t need to know everything, but you do need to have the right people in your corner”, explains Alistair. “Successful SMEs also stress the importance of good financial reporting. Make sure you have all the relevant, up-to-date paperwork on your business’ finances. As a lender, we look at the so called ‘4 Cs’ when we’re assessing a credit application - character, capability, capacity and collateral”. Getting the best out of a lender will be easier if you understand what information a lender wants from you. Some of the key information includes: • • • • •
• •
A basic overview of your business and its owners Any key changes, past or proposed How your business works
Regional and industry insights, and future plans
How much finance you are seeking and what impact this will have on your business Financial information (see below) What security you are offering.
“A good lender should ask open questions and be a good listener”, Alistair states. “We’re interested in your
medium to long-term goals; we want to understand more than the single transaction”. Financial information is key to lenders understanding your position and ability to repay your loan. This financial information includes your balance NATIONAL PARTNER your sheet and profit &RETAIL loss statements, debtors and creditors, and your cashflow statements. A lender will also likely request financial projections. “Finance providers like UDC need to be responsible lenders”, says Alistair. “Businesses often wonder why they are getting asked for projections when their business is making money. It is important to understand that profit is not cash. Cash is king, and it is required to pay your financial obligations ranging from loan payments through to wages”. There are numerous types of loan payments and structures that can be considered for an SME, and a good lender will present the different options available to you. For example, UDC offers: •
Seasonal payments
•
Interest rates, fixed or floating
• •
Balloon payment
More sophisticated asset finance products as opposed to simple term loans.
It is no secret that times are currently tough for many businesses. UDC recognise this and has been supporting many of their customers through this downturn.
“Anyone can lend money in good times, but at UDC we pride ourselves on working with our customers, asking questions and looking for solutions”, Alistair explains. “Of course, we must have comfort that you understand your business and the implications you could be facing, but we want to work with you to come up RETAIL GOLD PARTNER with the best solutions. This involves having a good relationship and great communication from both parties; it’s a two-way relationship”. If a SME gets the basics right, understands what the lender wants, understands their financial information, and clearly communicates this information, they are on the path to getting the best out of a lender in these challenging financial times. The team at UDC Finance is focused on lending to key industries that are asset-intensive and require specialist understanding, including the road transport industry, which UDC has been working alongside for over eight decades. Contact details for all UDC Commercial Managers can be found on the UDC website. UDC representatives are located up and down the country, so you can get in touch with your local representative, who understands your region, to have a chat and take it from there. Alistair Doyle
udc.co.nz/asset-finance 0800 200 UDC
Alistair Doyle joined UDC Finance in 2019, bringing more than 30 years of banking and finance experience to the team. Prior to his leadership roles, Alistair worked for more than 10 years in various relationship management roles across SME markets in Auckland, at both the National Bank and ASB. In these roles, his prime focus was to work with business owners, providing a wide range of tailored financial solutions. This article is a general market commentary and does not constitute financial advice. UDC Finance Limited lending criteria, fees, standard terms and conditions apply to any loan.
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
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Demo day for Justin Nary of Taylor Fencing and friends
FENCEQUIP in the USA After American fencer Alex Masser’s
trip to New Zealand in April, Alex and I decided that the best way to release
FENCEQUIP to the US market was to take
eighty-acre farm in Ebensburg. With the post driver being held up by the trucking company, I spent the first day with Alex’s employees, Ethan and Winston, helping them finish off a four-wire electric fence for a small horse property. This part of Pennsylvania felt a lot like Northland, with
30ft gooseneck trailer with Alex’s F450, and headed off to southern Virginia.
Day one of the East Coast Fencing Rivalry competition was a big day for Alex,
competing with friend and fellow fencer Jason Day in the U.S. Platinum Strainer
creeks surrounded by trees and rolling hills.
Doubles Championship. Alex and Jason the winners, and with that, qualified for
Alex picked me up and we headed to his
The next few days felt like Christmas as we drove to State College to pick up a brand new T86 Bobcat from Best Line Equipment. This was one of the first ones to land in the Eastern States. We connected Alex’s remote control, and once the post driver turned up, we hooked it all up and loaded it onto the
WIRED MAGAZINE
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a machine to the East Coast Fencing
Rivalry fencing competition in Virginia,
run by Derrick Cox. This post driver was
for Alex’s day-to-day fencing business as well as demonstrations.
With the post driver having landed in the US, I flew to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
focused on quality and were crowned
the New Zealand Fieldays Silver Spades Doubles Competition in June 2024, representing the USA.
Our People
Following on from my June article, FENCEQUIP made it to the USA!
After lunch, it was straight into machine demonstrations. This was a great
opportunity to show what our machine ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
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can do. The ground consisted of rocks in the top 1-2 feet, with a heavy clay base underneath. We drilled this ground with ease. We also demonstrated how we can thump strainers in and pull them out, and drive below ground level. Day two was another great day with the machine competition, where you are allowed to use a post driver. This was followed by a good night out at a local brewery. One thing I really enjoyed about this competition was meeting a large group of good people who were from a range of backgrounds, showing that the fencing industry really does breed the best people. Next on the schedule was heading out to the mid-west, to meet fencers and demonstrate our machine to people who could not make the competition. We hit the road, driving through the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, up through Wisconsin and into Minnesota. We drove a whopping 1040 miles in one day (nearly 1675km - that’s like driving from the top of the North Island to Timaru) in one stint! Although the straight, well-maintained roads, 113km speed limit and sitting in an F450 made it a comfortable trip.
Bryan Carstensen having a go and getting the feel for the Post Driver
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We drove a whopping 1040 miles in one day (nearly 1675km - that’s like driving from the top of the North Island to Timaru) in one stint! Although the straight, well-maintained roads, 113km speed limit and sitting in an F450 made it a comfortable trip
Alex’s F450 and 30ft goose neck trailer
In Minnesota, we met a few fencers at Bryan Carstensen’s place. The conditions were tricky with sandy/rocky ground that freezes often. But it didn’t take us long to work out a technique that worked well, and we were able to knock in a fence line with little fuss. We then were off to see the team at Grassland Solutions and set the post driver up on a 595 Bobcat, which is a bit on the small side for our big machine. So we got talking about designing a smaller post driver to suit the smaller skid steers like the 595 Bobcat and SV75 Kubota (watch this space).
Then another late night mission - off to southern Iowa to meet another group of local fencers pulled together by Justin Nary of Taylor Fencing (who is a big fan of the FCANZ magazine). Alex and I had a great time meeting these groups of people. Demonstrating the post driver, but also talking fence and discussing different techniques. Before we knew it, it was time to turn east and head for home, stopping off at the famous Iowa truck stop, which is the largest truck stop in the world. With one night left, we headed to a local rodeo where Alex’s wife Erin was competing in the calf roping competition.
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
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Alex working on a solar job
Demonstrating at the East Coast Fencing Rivalry fencing competition
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the US with Alex and his family, and meeting many like-minded people from the fencing industry.
Article written by Troy Knudsen
WIRED MAGAZINE
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Our range of high quality HD, Telescopic HD and Super HD Post Drivers, Side Mounts, and HARDOX Augers are built to last, designed to withstand the toughest of Kiwi conditions and are simple to use.
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
59
Rocking it in Rockbridge – checking in with contractors across the globe
In Rockbridge County, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, USA, Jake Wilson of Wilson Fence LLC makes his way in, around, and over rock. In other parts of the country, fencing contractors might blast out two miles of fence in a few days.
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Here, the rock can be almost undrillable with conventional equipment, so building 700 - 1200 feet of fence a day is a great day. Jake says it gives scope to be creative.
tries to bisect elevation as much as it is
Annual rainfall in Rockbridge is around 70 inches. With so much moisture, grass growing six inches above rock can look as lush as the rest, and obscure any indication of severe obstacles underground. Rocky terrain and erosion can also make running water lines underground a challenge, so, placement of fences and troughs, known as drinkers or waterers in the US, is important. Jake
is all leading straight up or down a hill,
ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
mechanically maintainable and avoids
running fence lines straight up or down a hill.
“Cows make paths with travel and if it
rainwater is going to flow in that path. If
animals come to one waterer all the time,
the ground and soil structure need to hold up. We take our time to choose our fence lines wisely.”
With very steep rocky terrain, roads, gates, waterlines, waterers, and fence lines, all
compete for the same good ground. Often FCANZ.ORG.NZ
some things must be installed in far less than ideal locations. If a property is lucky enough to have a spring, Jake’s crew develops the spring to gravity-feed water to drinking stations. “We figure out where we can get a drinker at a halfway level spot where the ground is not going to erode, as well as bisect it with a fence to achieve a roughly even balance of the given acreage. It takes almost as much time planning that as it does to install the fence. We have probes to stick in the ground to figure out whether you can get a fence post in. We walk the ground a lot.” WIRED MAGAZINE
It takes almost as much time planning that as it does to install the fence. We have probes to stick in the ground to figure out whether you can get a fence post in. We walk the ground a lot
The Rockbridge County Fencing Project involves three miles of fence, excavating, water crossings, spring development, a 600-foot well drilled, new power service, livestock water stations and laying 10,000 feet of waterlines. The brief: to fence off Some of these people who we are working a stream with an exclusion fence, then for have been working on this ground divide the land into relatively even lots for since they were kids, and are second or rotational grazing. Each subdivided area third-generation farmers.” requires a water source so, to minimise NATIONAL RETAIL PARTNER cost, many of the drinkers need to be At Wilson Fence LLC, they almost located on a fence line which can service exclusively use a high tensile woven wire two paddocks at the same time. The fixed knot fence (known here as netting crew take up many roles: the plumber, wire) and a 12-inch stay. An 8/42/12 net electrician, and the excavator as well as fence with a barbed wire strand on top is the fence contractor, and it’s up to them to the go-to fence for stream exclusion and “have everything in sync.” subdivisions, and 6/42/6 with two strands
fence, it is still a very functional fence for a long period of time. Jake compares this to a smooth, strained, electrified high tensile fence, where,RETAIL once theGOLD electricity is not on PARTNER the fence, it is much more easily breached by deer, bears, and cattle.
“You look at the fence the last guy built 40 years ago, and his posts are ten feet, ten feet, ten feet — then, suddenly, he has a 16-foot gap — that draws the eye.”
Jake’s team do a daily check on the consumables for gas, batteries, and staples, which are freshly loaded on the truck each morning. They also take water and ice, and inverted spray paint for marking the post locations, and they run five ST400i cordless stapler tools.
Jake says that with 20 years of experience in the same area, you learn to recognise the telltale signs of rock, soil, and water flow.
of barbed wire for property line fences. Strainer posts are eight-foot six-to-seven inch round posts, and line posts are seven-foot four-to-five inch or five-to-six placed 14 feet apart.
“You look at the way the farmers ride the field, the established tracks, or the way the cattle walk. Cattle don’t like walking on rock. They generally walk on softer areas. You see a beautiful green field and then this outcrop of rock – I think, ‘I will stay away from that!’ Then, you probe with more frequency. You listen to old-timers.
Jake runs this fence for two reasons. Firstly, with stock only on one side, there is not a lot of livestock pressure. The exclusion fence moves wildlife like deer and bears to crossing spots. Vegetation grows up in the waterway areas where the cattle are fenced out, creating a habitat for wildlife and a filter area for water runoff before it enters the waterway. Secondly, it is economical. There are a lot of crossings and gaps, so there’s no need to electrify it. When the undergrowth grows up into the
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On this and other waterway projects, they typically use two track skidsteers, a mini excavator, and a support vehicle, which has some clearing and lifting ability and they can use for stretching wire off. Their post driver, mounted on a remoteoperated skidsteer, is a high-ticket item and handled with care.
“The guys won’t staple up a fence without them.”
Our People
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Article supplied by:
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A Wife’s Tale It was a beautiful spring morning, and I was sitting in the paddock watching my pregnant ewe give birth. I’d hand-reared her last year as a pet, so this was exciting for me.
Shit. I’d YouTubed how to do this before. How hard could it be? I looked up at the office, a tiny home-built cabin in the top paddock, overlooking my sheep paddock and could see Shaun puffing on a cigarette, watching everything going on. I rang him. “You need to come now. We have to catch her,” I almost yelled. Now, we’d tried to catch sheep before and discovered that it was damn near impossible due to the two acre paddock being a valley semi-covered in bush. Since then, Shaun had built some stockyards and a crush, but we still had to get her down to them. In the office window, I could see our manager Rochelle and her daughter, who was on a teacher-only day. “Bring them,” I panted, due to excitement but also due to running. I’m terribly unfit. “Oh wait! No, I can’t help, I have Kate coming in 5 minutes,” Shaun replied. Kate is Shaun’s leadership coach. They have a meeting every fortnight and she’s been helping him with things like assertiveness, boundaries, conflict resolution, stress management, and basic mental health stuff. She’s been gold and I can’t work out why every man doesn’t have a Kate in their lives. But today, Kate was going to get a surprise. “She’ll have to help too,” I asserted. Maybe a bit too aggressively. Maybe I need a Kate too. But right then, I needed to be a lamb midwife. So, there’s all five of us, in the corner of the paddock with my poor, tired, scared ewe who had a little grey hoof hanging out.
She had slipped past us numerous times. Sheep are known to be dumb animals, but they are incredibly clever at not getting caught. I could feel Shaun’s frustration rising each time she slipped out of our hands, and we had to traipse up the bush-clad valley walls to bring her back down again. I could hear him muttering unknown but surely censored words. I did wonder if Kate was going to begin a coaching session right there and then. But luckily, the ewe magically ran into the shelter, and he caught her.
“
Kate is Shaun’s leadership coach. They have a meeting every fortnight and she’s been helping him with things like assertiveness, boundaries, conflict resolution, stress management, and basic mental health stuff
I snapped on my latex gloves and got
down to business. I could only find one
hoof, and no head. Which only means one thing – it was breech. Poor bitch. Without
any other option, I just had to keep pulling, gently out and down, gently out and
down, until there was no more gently but complete full force yanking which took
all my strength, which admittedly is not
much, but still elicited huffing and puffing. From me.
Finally, after only one minute, which felt
like an hour’s climb up Mt Tongariro, the lamb was out. I immediately cleared its
mouth and nose of mucus and dragged it over to her front where she urgently
started nibbling all the afterbirth off it. Disgusting, heart-warming, instinctual. All five of us stood back and observed the unfolding of nature, of a first-time
mother who just knew to lick and stimulate her new lamb into life and of the lamb who just knew to stand up and start searching for food within minutes of being born. I looked over at Kate who was next to Shaun, and I reflected on how today had some teachings after all. That life doesn’t always go to plan, yet we struggle on our own until often we get stuck. Sometimes, all we need is to let someone – whether it’s an inexperienced lamb midwife like me or an experienced coach like Kate, to come and help us out. Then our instinct can kick in, and we’re away again. Unlike my ewe though, humans (mostly) can’t be physically cornered and pinned down. Humans must agree to being helped. So, if this is you, and you’re struggling or stuck – just say yes. Say yes to a Kate in your life, so your natural instinct can kick in again. Article written by Angelena Davies
Our People
Except an hour and a half later, she was still struggling. A call to the vet confirmed that I needed to pull it out or get a mortgage to pay him to come out and do it.
Angelena Davies is a wife and mum who happens to have a Masters degree in Social Sciences. Alongside running Davies Fencing she is also a coach, facilitator and author helping children and adults to access “flow” so their lives are easier and more fun.
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FCANZ Certified Fencers A1FenceworX (Wellsford) Shane Beets t. 09 423 7585 m. 027 625 5383 e. admin@a1fenceworx.co.nz Barakat Contractors Ltd (Te Kauwhata) Dale & Carl Barakat t. 07 826 4461 m. 027 473 5513 e. dale@barakatcontractors.co.nz w. barakatcontractors.co.nz Ben Haugh Fencing (Geraldine) Ben Haugh t. 03 693 8088 m. 021 523 291 e. info@bhfencing.nz Central Fencing (Canterbury) Nigel Broadbridge t. 021 433 623 e. nigel@centralfencing.co.nz w. centralfencing.co.nz CPC Fencing Ltd (Northland) Phil Cornelius t. 09 4332644 m. 027 274 4188 e. cpc.fencing@yahoo.co.nz Custom Fencing Ltd (Waikouaiti) Nick Terry t. 03 465 7212 m. 021 614 100 e. nickterryfencing@xtra.co.nz Ewing Fencing Contractors (Oamaru) Mark Ewing t. 03 431 3864 m. 027 498 4049 e. mark@ewingfencing.co.nz Fencing Solutions Waikato (Morrinsville) Todd Sherburd t. 07 887 5549 m. 0274 927 337 e. todd@fsw.co.nz w. fsw.co.nz
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
Fencetec 2015 Ltd (Te Anau / Northern Southland) Steve Daley m. 027 2497852 e. stephendaley03@gmail.com Fensin Neil & Raymond Roberston (Taupō) Neil & Raymond Robertson t. 07 825 5747 m. 027 474 6335 e. robertson.nd@xtra.co.nz Golden Bay Fencing (Takaka) David Jacobson m. 027 266 7335 e. fourjake1@gmail.com Grant Macdonald Fencing Service (Tauranga) Grant Macdonald t. 07 543 3486 m. 027 494 2251 e. grantmacdonald@mclarenfalls.co.nz Grant Scott Fencing Ltd (Te Awamutu) Grant Scott t. 07 870 6541 e. g.scottfencing@gmail.com Greg Burton Fencing (Cambridge) Greg Burton t. 07 827 8765 m. 027 427 8765 e. mazgreg@xtra.co.nz Ground Up Services Ltd (Tauranga) Darryn Astill m. 027 586 9227 e. darryn@groundupservices.co.nz Ground Up Solutions (New Plymouth) Clayton & Sue Horton t. 06 758 2217 m. 021 710 712 e. info@groundupsolutions.co.nz w. groundupsolutions.co.nz
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
CERTIFIED FENCER
Higgins Fencing Contractors (Wakefield) Philip Higgins t. 03 541 9292 m. 021 222 5033 e. info@higginsfencing.co.nz w. higginsfencing.co.nz High Country Fencing Ltd (Darfield) Geoff Rogers t. 03 317 8028 m. 021 640 748 e. info@highcountryfencing.co.nz w. highcountryfencing.co.nz Jeff Joines Fencing Contractor Ltd (Kāpiti) Jeff Joines t. 06 364 2510 m. 027 484 4481 w. jeffjoinesfencing@gmail.com John Baldock Fencing Ltd (Katikati) John Baldock t. 07 552 0763 m. 021 176 4719 e. john@johnbaldockfencing.co.nz w. johnbaldockfencing.co.nz Landwork Solutions (Ōtaki) Brad Joines m. 0274955693 e. office@landworksolutions.co.nz Noksee Fencing (Motueka) John Noakes t. 03 5286388 m. 027 446 4413 e. noakesjc@gmail.com Phillips Contracting 2016 Ltd (Edgecumbe) Josh Phillips t. 07 304 8443 m. 027 587 3551 e. phillipscontracting@xtra.co.nz Renner Contracting Ltd (Seddon) Mike & Brad Renner t. 03 577 6615 m. 021 416 798 e. rennerfencing@hotmail.com w. rennerfencing.co.nz
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Affiliates, Trusts and Training Institutes West Otago Fencing Ltd (Tapanui) Grant & Wendy Harris t. 03 204 8285 m. 0272 866 576 e. harris29@xtra.co.nz
Steve Locke Fencing Ltd (Blenheim) Steve Locke t. 03 578 1927 m. 021 37 1971 e. steve@stevelockefencing.co.nz w. stevelockefencing.co.nz
White Fencing Ltd (Papakura) Tony White t. 09 292 8064 m. 027 495 7868 e. admin@whitefencing.co.nz w. whitefencing.co.nz
Steve Williamson Fencing (Timaru) Steve Williamson t. 03 686 4779 m. 027 455 3385 e. shwilliamson@actrix.co.nz Tight Wire Fencing Ltd (Taupō) Rex Graham t. 07 378 5572 m. 027 318 8665 e. tightwirefencing@xtra.co.nz
FCANZ Membership FCANZ offers a range of benefits and services to members in the fencing industry, whether you are looking for individual membership or a place for your company to prosper and grow. Becoming a member means you are supporting the industry and helping lift the profile of fencing as a recognised profession.
BENEFITS OF BEING A MEMBER INCLUDE: •
Your company name on the Find a Fencing Contractor section on the website
•
Members receive Group Membership with New Zealand Federated Farmers
• • • • • • • •
Four free issues of WIRED per year
Opportunity to network and communicate with like-minded people in the industry Access to NZQA qualifications National Certificate in Fencing Regional Best Practice Days
Access to online professional development webinars Support from industry providers
Heavily subsidised Annual Conference
Trade Association of Site Safe giving a 10% discount
Join online at fcanz.org.nz/join-fcanz
MEMBERSHIP PRICING:
General Member $325.00 +GST Employee Member $85 +GST WIRED Only (NZ Residents) $85.00 +GST (for 12 months) 0508 4 32269 | admin@fcanz.org.nz fcanz.org.nz
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FCANZ Board
PHIL CORNELIUS
DEBBIE WHITE
SHANE BEETS
m. 027 274 4188 e. phil@fcanz.org.nz
m. 027 495 7033 e. debbie@fcanz.org.nz
m. 027 625 5383 e. shane@fcanz.org.nz
(PRESIDENT)
CRAIG SINCLAIR m. 027 418 7693 e. craig@fcanz.org.nz
(TREASURER)
(VICE-PRESIDENT)
JANINE SWANSSON
NICK TERRY
e. janine@fcanz.org.nz
m. 021 614 100 e. nick@fcanz.org.nz
Patron CRAIG WIGGINS
m. 027 457 6694 e. wiggyswhatever@gmail.com
DONNA UPTON
m. 021 761 022 e. donna@fcanz.org.nz
FCANZ Operations Team
JAIME BIGWOOD Executive Director m. 021 2848 223 e: exec@fcanz.org.nz
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ISSUE 71 / DECEMBER 2023
JEANETTE MILLER Administration Manager t. 0508 432 269 m. 027 432 2033 e: admin@fcanz.org.nz
FCANZ.ORG.NZ
HEATHER KAWAN WIRED Editor m: 022 630 8533 e: wired@fcanz.org.nz
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Celebrating our history, and legends in the making. We began as a service to Fletcher Construction in the early 1920’s. Today, we continue to grow from strength to strength, turning lessons learnt into the pillars of our success. 100 years later we’re New Zealand’s leading importer, distributor and processor of steel representing: Fletcher Building’s Easysteel , Fletcher Reinforcing®, CSP, Fletcher Wire Products , Dimond® Roofing, Dimond Structural and Pacific CoilCoaters® as our brands. TM
TM
TM
Cheers to 100 years of growth, legends driving our success, and to the next 100 years.
fletchersteel.co.nz
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