Four-time golden pliers winner and former world champion Shane Bouskill will be the star attraction at three South Island fencing trade days hosted by Fencing Contractors New Zealand (FCANZ) and Wiremark.
Canterbury contractors and aspiring fencers can get along to the South Island Agricultural Field Days site at Kirwee, near Christchurch, on Wednesday, October 9.
FCANZ vice-president and Canterbury fencer Andy Johnson said he had visited schools and young farmers' clubs before the event to encourage young people to attend.
''We're hoping we will get the students along with mum and dad,'' he said.
''It's a good opportunity to learn about termination knots, figure eights, etc, and also a chance to showcase a few of those other knots you shouldn't use around the farm.
''There's a bit of an art to it, but anyone can do it and with the right technique it's easy.''
Mr Johnson said more experienced fencers would also benefit from the day, as it would be a good opportunity to network and share stories, as well as knowledge and skills.
The trade day would feature best practice fencing, irrigator fence crossing displays, wire knots and quality basics, macrocarpa interlocking post and rail, security fencing, residential fencing and construction of gates.
Mr Bouskill will demonstrate his fencing techniques, such as modern footing methods, netting, tying off, joining, electrics and hanging of gates.
There will also be some new products on display, with demonstrations provided by FCANZ sponsors.
Mr Johnson is operations manager for Central Fencing, based at Lincoln, and works alongside his business partner Nigel Broadbridge, a past FCANZ chairman.
His crews worked on all types of fencing, from high country farm fencing to residential fencing.
''The series of natural disasters that we experienced here in Christchurch have given us plenty of variety in our work. We quite often have a full-time crew doing residential and lifestyle work as well as crews up in the high country.''
Mr Johnson was elected to the FCANZ national board four years ago and has been vice chairman for two years.
He was ''extremely passionate'' about the industry, and the FCANZ team strived to increase the profile of fencing as a recognised profession, through knowledge and standards.
-By David Hill
SI Fencing Trade Days
- Marlborough: Monday October 7, Yealands Estate, 523 Seaview Road, Seddon.Canterbury: Wednesday October 9, South Island
- Agricultural Field Days grounds, 1191 Courtenay Road, Kirwee.Southland: Friday October 11, 645 Lumsden-Dipton Highway, Lumsden.
- RSVP by October 5: text 027432-2033, phone 0508432-269, or email info@fencingcontractors.co.nz.
