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Fencing trifecta at Central Districts
The recent New Zealand Fencing Competitions Doubles Power Fencing competition at Central District Fieldays unearthed a treble of well earned feats.
Odds were on popular duo Shane Bouskill and Tony Bouskill, who clinched top honours with a fence that scored well across all judging aspects.
This win rounds out an outstanding season for the Hawke’s Bay pair, having now won all three of the North Island regional competitions (Hawke’s Bay, King Country and Central Districts).
Organiser Jeff Joines said the competition was well received by competitors and drew a sizeable crowd of spectators. This year saw an equine-style fence constructed by the 12 teams, including a section of post and rail. The use of white Equiwire made any line-posting issues more visible.
Jeff tweaked the specs slightly from previous years; putting the stay at the far end, which had teams pulling wires off the blocked strainer instead. “It was a bit of a break from what we normally do. I wanted to make everyone think. We were also looking for a high-end finish and detailing in the post and rail work; emulating the kind of job a client wants and what you’d be happy to bill them for”.
The ground conditions again proved testing for many, with the very hard and stony soil prevailing over some borer set-ups. Whilst speed to complete the job is essential to the finishing score, teams had to compromise between tying up both people on a two-man borer or using a high spec’d single man competition borer, which can easily lock up on the many stones underfoot.
It was a lesson to many that sharp cutting blades are a necessity, and some lines possibly should come with a disclaimer: Attention: many shear pins were harmed in the making of this fence!
This year also saw a trifecta of father-and-son pairs competing. Warwick and Carl Hayes, Shane and Tony Bouskill and David and Jordan Swansson all proved that fencing is a skill carried across the generations. There are not too many sports that can boast this kind of family involvement, and it’s a credit to the relationships all these pairs have.
Day three of the show saw a post driving competition with a lineup that saw 2 postdrivers each from Protech, Revolution Postdrivers, and Fencepro. Competitors brought along their own equipment (one rammer trekked all the way from Gisborne), and the mix of tractors, tracked machines and skid steers showcased a modern style of fence construction typical of a range of contractors.
Working in pairs, typically one person operating the machine and the second doing the more manual tasks, they erected a 30m fence containing Cyclone wire, Mitchpine roundwood, Bayonet netting, and also utilising Delfast staple guns.
Gisborne mates Tim Garrick and Corey Twigley took the win here, with judges commenting they worked well together and are proving to be a competitive duo. Second went to Shane and Tony Bouskill, with David Swansson and John Graham placing third.
It was also great to see a steady flow of new (and not always young) faces giving NZFC competitions a go. One commented that, “It’s great to get out there and have a go.
There is always something new to learn at these events, and everyone is pretty encouraging. I find it’s ok to ask questions; the judges and competitors give guidance freely.”
Another competitor shared, “I reckon I’ve improved my day-to-day fencing systems through taking part in fencing comps. The beers and feed afterwards aren’t too bad either”.
With thousands of people through the gates each day, the fencing area was once again a big drawcard and provided a strong atmosphere.
We are appreciative of our sponsors for their financial contributions and product support; Wiremark, Strainrite, Gallagher, Mitchpine, Claas Harvest Centre, Revolution Postdrivers, Bayonet, Delfast, FencePro Postdrivers, Farmlands, Fencequip Postdrivers, as well as local businesses Leith Consulting and Victory Civil. Thanks to the judging team, MC, BBQ Extraordinaires, Craig, Tractor, Burne and wife, and Tim for all their help. A BIG shout-out to all the pull-down helpers who enabled the tidy up to go smoothly and for everyone to return home at a reasonable hour.
A betting person would be confident of the Bouskill’s winning form heading into the National Fencing Championships at Mystery Creek Fieldays in June. A win at the Fieldays® Silver Spades™ Doubles Championship would earn them a place on the start line in the Tornado Wire Fencing Competition in Malvern, UK in July. It’d be great to see them in the winners’ circle abroad. Yeeha!!
Shane Tilson & Tom Kerley Postdriving competition Bouskills put the finishing touches on their winning line
Written by Vanessa Stafford
Published in WIRED issue 81/June 2026 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ
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