| 63 True family business Tackling complexity Hunt Fencing maintains high professional standards. Hastings Honda continues to grow its inventory and its capabilities. Kelly Deeks Karen Phelps The first stop for everything Honda, from road bikes, motocross bikes, farm bikes and quads, side by sides, and scooters to Honda Outdoors power equipment and an extensive range of parts, clothing, and accessories, Hastings Honda has the sales and service solutions to keep Hawke’s Bay riders on the move and their equipment in great condition. Hastings Honda has been part of the Hawke’s Bay community for more than 50 years. A true family business, Hastings Honda is proud to support the 12 local families of its full-time staff, as well as supporting and attending local motorcycling and sporting clubs and events. Under ownership of its previous manager Grant Merwood since 2019, Hastings Honda continues to grow its inventory and its capabilities, with ongoing training for its 12 motorcycle-enthusiast staff, advancing their skills and knowledge well past their apprenticeships and qualifications. Grant says he’s more of a custodian for Hastings Honda, which has been in business for so long, and is there to keep the big wheel turning. He has definitely made an impact in his time as manager, expanding the business in a number of areas including motocross, second-hand motorcycles, Honda Outdoor Power Equipment, and on-farm servicing. “We put a huge emphasis on our loyal farm clients, and Honda ATVs remain a large part of our business,” he says. “We have been growing our on-farm servicing offering with our mechanic Steve Goss, who spends two or three days a week on the road and on-farm servicing. Some of our farming clients are more than an hour away from our workshop so on-farm servicing can save them a lot of time and keep them running. We will continue to grow that in future.” Hastings Honda has enjoyed additional growth in recent years as the Honda Outdoors range of power Hunt Fencing was set up to tackle tough fencing jobs for farmers others are not willing or able to take on. “We tend to take on the more challenging jobs. We like a challenge,” says Dan Hunt. Dan established Hunt Fencing in 2012 after transitioning from a decade-long career in carpentry. “A fencer was working at my father in law’s property at the time and I got a job with him and learned the ropes before starting my business, says Dan. Since then the company’s adaptability and willingness to tackle complex projects has helped position it as a key service provider to local farmers. Operating within an hour’s radius of Waiuku, the company specialises in rural fencing solutions including wire and batten, netting and post and rail. Due to Dan’s carpentry background, the company offers additional services such as constructing yards, retaining walls, farm shed construction and bridge building. The agricultural sector’s evolving requirements, particularly around environmental compliance, have created new demands for fencing contractors and meant modern fencers need diverse skills. “We’re currently working on several projects including cattle yards, fencing off wetlands and waterways, and protecting historic pa sites,” says Dan. “The diversity of expertise Hunt Fencing can offer is really valuable when tackling projects such as fencing off bush areas under QEII Trust protection. These projects often involve challenging terrain and dense bush, requiring both technical skill and problem-solving abilities to complete successfully.” RURAL SERVICES » Hastings Honda / Hunt Fencing Ltd equipment has become more well-known amongst consumers. “Honda has always had a generator, a mower and a pump, but not everyone knows what else they’ve got,” Grant says. “We’ve got the full range of Honda Outdoor Power Equipment and it’s going pretty well for us.” Honda Outdoors is a New Zealand owned and operated company operating for more than 40 years, and providing genuine Honda products that have proven their operating performance in tough and challenging New Zealand conditions. Offering the same easy start four stroke engine, and the same reliability and build quality as seen in Honda bikes, this comprehensive range includes everything needed to power and tidy up around the home or farm, from generators, pumps, and engines to lawnmowers, brushcutters and the new DC battery powered range. Hastings Honda is heading into 2025 with the same commitment to exceptional products and service for the Hawkes Bay community. Equipment upgrades are on the cards to improve efficiencies in the workshop, as well as some improvements in the yard of its purpose-built Omahu Road workshop. The increased volume of side-by-sides are needing a larger wash bay and better parking for clients to allow them to leave their trailers onsite while their bike service is being undertaken. He says farmers want a “timely, efficient, cost effective service”. “We provide best quality long lasting product at a reasonable price. We can help suggest what will work best for them but most of our clients come to us knowing what they want.” The company’s reputation for quality work has helped it build a loyal client base. “We have worked for some farmers we have worked for since the business started,” says Dan. “We take a personal approach to what we do and have deliberately stayed smaller in size to be able to maintain direct relationships with clients.” Dan’s commitment to quality craftsmanship is evidenced by his competitive success in the industry. He won the novice section of the national Field Days competition, achieved third place in the doubles and qualified for the Golden Pliers competition. As a Summit Steel & Wire installer partner and a member of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand, Hunt Fencing maintains high professional standards. Dan’s wife Anna manages the company’s administrative operations rounding out the family team and a full time fencer is also employed to keep up with demand for the company’s services. Dan says the company’s success demonstrates the vital role specialist contractors play in supporting Waikato’s agricultural sector. “As farming practices evolve and environmental requirements become more stringent, the expertise of local contractors such as Hunt Fencing becomes increasingly important for maintaining and improving farm infrastructure. We are pleased to be able to assist our clients, delivering high quality, cost effective solutions that stand the test of time.” Proud to support Hastings Honda When it comes to Motorcycles Hastings Honda is your first stop in Hawkes Bay for Farm Quads, Side by Side's, 2 Wheeler's, Road Bikes, Motocross Bikes, Scooters & Commuters. Summit Steel & Wire are proud to support Hunt Fencing Ltd as an Installer Partner. Specialising in selling Pole Sheds and Roundwood to the rural sector. Proudly Supporting Hunt Fencing Ltd 09 235 7289 sales@waiukuitm.co.nz
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