MEMBER Q&A: Campbell Feather

Business name? Campbell Feather Fencing

Based in? Hastings, Hawke’s Bay

In the fencing industry since? 2017 as a contractor

How did the business come about? Consecutive droughts – we own 247ha of hill country, so we needed something to do as there was no grass to farm any animals on!!

Who is in the team? The team: Wife Sara, Pera Winiata, Chris Jones, Jimmy Keepa

What style of fence is your favourite to build, or what do you specialise in? We have done a lot of 8 wire with 2 electrics, but we do all types of rural, lifestyle and industrial.

What’s the best thing about being a fencer? Having an awesome team that does quality work and having that camaraderie you get from working hard together.

What project are you most proud of or have most enjoyed? Chesterhope Station, 700 ha totally re-fenced after the cyclone smashed it.

What project has been the most challenging? Chesterhope, even though it was flat, lining up paddocks to a central lane and ensuring a cropping programme could work alongside a finishing system took some planning, in co-operation with the Joan Fernie Charitable Trust Chair, Mike Barham.

What has been the hardest part of running a business? The hardest part of running a business is managing mechanical breakdowns and completing some jobs on time. I’m the only worker at times.

What keeps you sane as a business owner? (Apps, tools, tricks, people) Our team keeps me sane. Running a farm alongside a fencing business requires a reliable crew – which we have. That helps keep the stress to a minimum, knowing I can trust the boys to get things spot on. 9 times out of 10 it’s me who makes the mistakes!!

If you could use one wish to make any part of your business better, what would you wish for? Lower diesel prices

What’s one thing you would tell someone new to running a fencing business? Get your head around quoting or estimating jobs correctly.

Campbell with wife Sara

Why do you belong to FCANZ? I joined FCANZ to keep up with what’s going on in the industry. The best way to learn is from people who have been there and done it.

What’s for lunch? Tuna and crackers, and a banana. If you eat too much or stop too long, it slows down movement. I like to keep up my momentum.

Marmite or Vegemite? Marmite

Ranger or Hilux? Landcruiser

Favourite tool? The boys will say my phone, I seem to be on the thing constantly.

What do you listen to at work? Podcast or music? Podcast and music

Favourite song or podcast? Song: Jason Aldean’s ‘Try That in A Small Town’

Published in WIRED issue 81/June 2026 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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