| 99 Farmers in good hands Testing 7 different footing techniques in silly loam-clay soils (top). Fencing contractors gather around for a fencing technique demonstration at the Tauranga FCANZ Best Practice Day. Kim Newth The Fencing Contractors Association NZ (FCANZ) is making good strides on lifting the profile and standard of fencing and fencing contractors in New Zealand and promoting a high quality of workmanship. Every year, FCANZ works hard to promote the benefits of professional training and provides members with many opportunities for improvement. FCANZ President Phil Cornelius says many have completed industry training in fencing over the past few years. The Level 3 Certificate in Fencing is available through Te Pukenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, with Level 4 due to come on stream from the start of 2023. “As this continues to snowball and we see more FCANZ Accredited contractors and their Certified fencer employees, then fencing clients will see the real benefit of using FCANZ Accredited contractors who employ Certified fencers, as they have a quality assurance system behind them,” says Phil. In September, FCANZ held best practice days in Tauranga and Gisborne to showcase top level industry skills and the latest fencing gear via practical demonstrations. “We had 75 attendees in Tauranga and 64 in Gisborne and the feedback from both was exceptional. Most contractors would have picked up something of benefit they could take back into their own businesses.” Two more best practice days are being planned for the top of the South Island in 2023. As Phil says, it can be challenging finding dates and venues that work well for most members but invariably these days are a great success. “Partners find them of great benefit too as they provide really good opportunities for networking and for getting feedback from people using their product.” FENCING » FCANZ Increasingly, FCANZ is becoming accepted as the fencing industry’s governing body. Phil says members are kept well-informed on topics of value to them, for example through webinars on health and safety, understanding ACC, and various other smart business tips. As well, FCANZ puts out four information-packed editions of WIRED to members every year and monthly e-news. FCANZ’s annual AGM and conference is a big event for their members and the fencing industry. This year’s conference was held in Otepoti (Dunedin) and the theme was ‘creating work-life balance’. All participants of the conference and AGM can well appreciate the pressures on today’s busy contractors. Phil says the conference’s keynote session - from Shane Bird, ‘the Farmers Mindset Coach’ on Managing Stress in the Workplace – was very well received. Another highlight of the programme was the 2022 National Fencing Field Day at the Otago Taieri A&P Showgrounds, showcasing the best products, services and equipment available to fencing and farming communities. This was the second year in a row for the popular field day event, which Phil says is now set to be an ongoing annual fixture. Conference 2022 concluded with a gala dinner at Dunedin’s Larnach Castle. Phil says a highlight for conference goers was an impromptu auction on the Thursday night that started with the offer of a builder’s level. “Partners got right behind it and people kept donating and buying items back. It was awesome!” All proceeds raised ($15,000) went to rural health advocate Craig Wiggins’ charity (Whatever with Wiggy Charitable Trust), whose call to ‘lean on a gate and talk to a mate’ has resonated strongly across rural New Zealand. Full fencing service, from rural fencing to residential & commercial, retaining walls and more. 034657212 021614100 nick@customfencing.net www.customfencing.co.nz Noksee Fencing Contractor If you can’t get it up, we’ll erect it ! WOODEN GATES · CATTLE YARDS RETAINING WALLS · HAY MOWING CHAINSAW WORK RD1 Motueka 7196 Email: noakesjc@gmail.com Specialist Manufacturers of high quality fencing tools & equipment Visit www.strainrite.co.nz for more information 0800 4posts (0800 476 787) www.greatsouthern.net.nz Suppliers of : Posts • Poles • Piles • Farm Buildings Small Buildings • Dog Motels Concrete Troughs • Building Supplies Wooden Gates • Fencing Supplies
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