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Story: Farm fencing

Stone fence post, Central Otago

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Stone fence post, Central Otago

In Central Otago there were few trees for fence posts, so settlers had to find other materials. Iron was often used and, later, concrete. The plentiful local stone was also commonly made into fence posts. This one is from Mitchell’s Cottage, near Alexandra. Holes have been bored through the stone to hold the wires in place, and flat iron standards have been used between the posts.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10052976

by John Mazey

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How to cite this page

Robert Peden, Farm fencing – Wire fencing, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/15294/stone-fence-post-central-otago (accessed 3 June 2026).

Story by Robert Peden, published 1 March 2009.