Toby How: Installing a Hot Wire on Deer Fencing

Surrounded by the vibrant farmlands of Geraldine, Toby How has spent the past decade turning his passion for fencing into a dynamic and successful business.

From his lifestyle block on the edge of the township, Toby has built up his business. Now, two hardworking crews take on projects across the region. At the time of our visit, one crew was working on a signifi cant project up in the Arthur’s Pass, while the other was managing smaller jobs closer to home.

Toby’s journey into fencing began at an early age, growing up on a farm with a hands-on rural lifestyle. “Even during school holidays, I was fencing for local contractors,” he recalled. “I studied at Lincoln and worked abroad, but fencing has always been part of my life. I enjoy the freedom and the variety it affords, and enjoy visiting different farms and getting a real feel for what’s happening around the countryside.”

The Geraldine area, with its mix of dairy farms, lifestyle blocks, and residential properties, provides plenty of variety, with deer fencing making up about 80% of Toby’s business. “We are well set up for deer fencing,” he noted. “We’ve got good systems and can get stuck in. It also often takes us to pretty neat locations in the hills.”

Beyond his fencing work, Toby is an active community member. A former participant in the Young Farmers’ competitions, he now assists with Geraldine High School’s Primary Industries Academy, often hosting students on placement. “Isaac, my main worker, came through this programme five years ago,” he shared.

Outside of the day-to-day, Toby maintains an energetic lifestyle, playing squash and spending time in the outdoors with his family. A keen rafter, Toby has competed internationally, representing New Zealand at a championship event in Bosnia earlier this year. “It was pretty fun. All of us in the team are locals, so we were well supported. It was awesome to have the community behind us,” he said.

For Toby, the lifestyle that fencing affords him and the connection to his hometown is everything. “I’m Geraldine proud, and the local community means a lot to me. We’re raising our family here because we appreciate the community so much and are very proud to call this place home.”