Noah Jaunay: Final Strain on Deer Netting

In the growing fencing industry of Central Otago, Precise Fencing has carved out a reputation for structured, high-quality work - from agricultural projects to high-end residential subdivisions. Headed by Ruben Connelly and based in Cromwell, the business services the wider Otago region, including Wānaka, Queenstown, and Tarras.

We caught up with team member Noah Jaunay, who has been part of Precise Fencing for the past three years. “We cover a lot of ground," he said. “From lifestyle blocks to large-scale builds, it’s always something different, which keeps things interesting.”

Noah, who hails from Whangārei, began his fencing career with a big move down south. “I needed to get out of home,” he said. “My sister was working for Ruben, and she offered for me to come live with her and start work at Precise. It was the start I needed.”

He’s stayed with the company ever since. “It’s a great team, great boss. Everything’s highly structured, which really helps day to day.”

The team at Precise is known not just for their workmanship, but for the well-managed, collaborative approach that underpins every job. “The structure here helps everything run smoothly. You always know what needs to happen next,” Noah explained.

Currently, the company has teams working on several projects, including a major year-long subdivision in Wānaka.

While working on a job fencing the cycle trail along the Gibbston Valley, Noah and his colleague Dion Robertson showed us how to use boards to put strain on deer netting, which improved efficiency and simplified the wire netting process for boundary fencing.

“In the past, we’d roll netting out by hand, and use straining boards mid-line,” Noah said. “That method often left you with uneven tension - tight in some spots, slack in others. You’d need to strain it multiple times to get it right.”

With their system, the netting is rolled out mechanically, clamped at the end, and strained in one seamless process. “It saved time straight away,” he said. “We stapled off the end, added a straining board there, and we were done. It’s faster, cleaner, and more consistent.”

Precise Fencing’s local knowledge and strong systems make them well-suited to the unique terrain and conditions of Central Otago. With up-and-coming fencers like Noah on the ground, the future looks just as sharp as the fences they leave behind.