Post & Rail Fencing

Above the city, fences get longer and the country gets steeper. Post-and-rail is the natural fence for Port Hills lifestyle blocks and larger sections: open enough to keep the views, strong enough to hold stock, and repairable a rail at a time without specialist gear.

Timber choice drives lifespan. Treated pine posts and rails are the standard — affordable, available and proven in Canterbury conditions. Hardwood posts last longer in the ground but cost more; concrete posts outlast everything but change the look entirely. On hill country, post depth and diameter matter more than species — short shallow posts walk downhill within a few winters.

Rails usually run two, three or four high depending on what the fence must hold. Cattle need height and strength; sheep need an extra rail or wire; road frontages need the full treatment for safety and liability. Plain or barbed wire, or stock mesh under the bottom rail, closes the gaps for dogs, lambs and poultry without changing the look much.

Long runs on slopes need laying out properly. Lines should follow the contour with posts stepped or raked to suit, strainer assemblies at corners and direction changes, and rails cut to land on posts — never floating mid-bay. A well-laid post-and-rail line looks effortless, which is exactly why it takes care to get right.

Gates on rural blocks deserve the same attention as suburban ones, with heavier hardware and posts sized for the span. A farm gate that sags and drags gets left open — and an open gate is not a fence. Cattle stops, stile access for walkers and dog-proof mesh at the base are all worth discussing before the first post goes in.

Common questions

Find us

Port Hills Fencing is based in Redcliffs and works across Christchurch and Canterbury. Find the business listing and directions on the contact page.

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