| 57 One of fencing’s most influential figures NorthTec national training coordinator and CPC Fencing manager Donna Upton has been recognised as one of the fencing industry’s most influential figures. Kelly Deeks NorthTec national training coordinator and CPC Fencing manager Donna Upton has been recognised as one of the fencing industry’s most influential figures, taking home the Women of Influence Award at the 2025 Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) Awards. The award celebrates women who are shaping the future of the fencing profession, and Donna’s win acknowledges her leadership in helping to develop and deliver nationally recognised Level 3 and Level 4 fencing qualifications. Her work has helped to create a clear pathway for fencers to become qualified tradespeople, lifting the profile and professionalism of the industry. “I never anticipated this direction for my career,” Donna says. “Four years ago, I was a rural analyst with Rabobank. I left that role because I could see the potential in the fencing industry, and I wanted to help pull everything together - training, certification, governance - so we could really make the most of the pathway we’ve created, and future-proof it so it can continue.” Since joining the FCANZ board in 2020, where her husband Phil Cornelius serves as president, Donna is the treasurer and has taken on the role of national training coordinator, a first for the industry. Together, the couple and the FCANZ board have helped transform the fencing sector by introducing qualifications, professional recognition, and awards celebrating excellence. “FCANZ had supported industry training before, but it needed to be reviewed as it was never particularly well executed or had any longevity, until now,” Donna says. “Now we’ve got people across the country - fencers, farmers, and others who use fencing in their work - learning through NZQA- recognised qualifications. It’s about lifting standards, improving safety, and giving people credentials they can be proud of.” Donna coordinates training through NorthTec, with tutors delivering the Level 3 theory component online via Zoom, while practical assessments are set up in locations around the country. “We’ve run courses from Feilding to Rotorua, Te Puke, Cambridge, Nelson, Canterbury, and Dunedin,” she says. “If there’s interest in an area, I’ll create a temporary site and make it happen.” The structured training covers the full scope of the profession, from the fundamentals at Level 3 through to more advanced leadership and business skills at Level 4 and beyond. “Level 3 is the starting point, getting people confident in the basics of good fencing practice. Level 4 moves into supervising teams and managing projects, which really builds capability in the industry,” Donna explains. While the technical side is vital, Donna is particularly proud of how the training is helping futureproof the industry. “We’re front-footing health and safety, and creating career progression for young people. This qualification helps them get jobs and win contracts. RURAL SERVICES » CPC Fencing It’s changing the perception of fencing - from being ‘just fencing’ to being a recognised trade.” CPC Fencing has long been at the forefront of promoting professionalism in the sector. The company was the first non-forestry business to win a Forestry Excellence Industry Award in 2021, a milestone that showed FCANZ recognition was a powerful tool. “The executive board created the FCANZ awards because our industry needed them,” Donna says. “We wanted to show that fencing is a career with real skill and value - just like building or forestry. The more people who get qualified, the stronger the industry becomes.” Now celebrating FCANZ’s 20th year as an incorporated society, Donna says the focus is firmly on the future. Working! 100A Jervois Street, Dargaville Keeping The West 0272139665 | ella@westcoastservices.co.nz At JMA we’re not like the average accounting firm, who you only hear from once a year. We’re small enough to get to know you and your business completely, and we’re available to talk to whenever you need. Our small size doesn’t mean we don’t bring a lot of experience to your business. Between Joanne and Anna, there is over 50 years worth of experience, along with the team, some of who have over 20 years experience in private practive. We have a large range of clients from farmers, orchadists, tradies, contractors and investment clients. Each client brings its own unique challenges. Our passion is to help clients understand their numbers and work with them to create a positive, trusting relationship. "Your success is our motivation" 09 407 3063 admin@jmaaccountants.nz www.jmalimited.com “We love this industry, and we love helping people succeed in it. Seeing businesses grow, staff progress, and health and safety improve - that’s what drives us. It’s exciting to be part of something that’s setting fencing up for the next generation.”
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