After a few years working in the rural industry in Dunedin and across the Maniototo and doing a short stint in farm machinery sales, Nick Terry started up Custom Fencing in 2011. From his Waikouaiti-base in Otago, Nick now runs four crews and offers a wide range of agricultural, residential and security fencing for customers from East Otago to Strath Taieri.
What brought you into fencing?
After a few years working in the rural industry in Dunedin and across the Maniototo and doing a short stint in farm machinery sales, Nick Terry started up Custom Fencing in 2011. I left school to work on a farm up in Central Otago. They cut down trees from old tree lanes to make their own posts so obviously, we did a lot of our own fencing. It was a great place for a young 16-year-old Nick and I quite enjoyed fencing purely for the fact you could do a day’s work and stand back and see how little or much you had done.
Who or what has been your greatest influence in your fencing business?
Well fortunately for me the guy that taught me how to fence had a passion to get things right and make a tidy job so that was instilled into me right from day dot. Other than that, I dont think you could find another industry full of good buggers who are willing to help anyone out.
What do you love about fencing?
On a good day there isn’t a better job to have! even on a poor day it would still be better than being the Prime Minister!
What makes a great fencer?
A good attitude.
What was your greatest fencing achievement?
Pairing up with my brother-in-law and winning the 2017 South Island Doubles fencing competition. That, and starting a business from scratch and building it into what it is today.
What was the last tool you bought and why?
A concrete mixer today because my other one fell to bits.
What is one piece of advice for newcomers to fencing?
Use FCANZ and talk to people like Stockade and other contractors in your area. Nine times out of ten people are happy to have a yarn to and give direction.