Electric lower cost

Rangitikei forest remnant: 4-wire (all electric) fence.

Uses

• Dairy/cattle stocking regime
• Flat country
• Forest in good condition
• Wetland
• Easily monitored areas

Points

• Maintenance programme needed to keep wires, posts and connections in good condition.
• Voltage along the fence needs to be checked regularly.
• To limit short-outs, spray or slash vegetation off wires. Fewer wires (2–3) allow stock to trim vegetation through fence.
• Use only where common on rest of farm (as stock are trained to them).

Whangarei riparian margin: 2-wire (all electric) fence.
Photo: Nan Pullman

Netting medium cost

Masterton lowland forest: netting with one electric wire.

Multiple uses

• Especially sheep stocking regime.

Points

• Discourages pests such as pigs, goats or deer.
• Suitable to use with Y posts in dry areas.
• Barbed or electric wire reduces stock pressure.
• Can corrode in coastal situations.
• Less suitable for strongly undulating terrain.

Banks Peninsula penguin habitat: netting fence.
Photo: Miles Giller

Y post medium cost

Horowhenua podocarp remnant: Y posts with electric outriggers.
Photo: Tony Gates

Uses

• High country
• Rocky soils
• Dry areas
• Sheep stocking regime

Points

• Reduces the need to dig post holes.
• Easy to electrify.
• Suitable to use with netting.
• Easy to use as tie-downs.
• Will not burn in a grass fire.
• Electric outriggers or barbed wires discourage cattle pressure.
• Can pull or loosen in wet soils.
• Can corrode in coastal situations. 

Central Hawke's Bay totara-beech remnant: 6-wire Y post fence.
Photo: Marie Taylor

Post and batten highest cost

Hastings forest: 8-wire (one barbed) post and batten fence.
Photo: Marie Taylor

Uses

• Sheep stocking regime.
• High stock pressure.
• Vulnerable rare/threatened plants.
• Remote locations.

Points

• Wires must be on the outside of the posts (the animal side).
• Electric or barbed wires can deter stock pressure.
• Around bush it is easier to repair a fence without battens, especially when damaged by a treefall.
• May not be suitable for unstable ground.
• Having more wires, eg 8-9, is cheaper than using battens.

Franklin kauri-broadleaved forest: 8-wire (one electric) post and batten fence.
Photo: Lynda Fleming

A QEII document. For more information, visit QEII National Trust Open Space New Zealand.

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