Fencing That Moves With the Landscape

Big King / Te Tātua-a-Riukiuta is a significant open landscape within Auckland, where ongoing planting and ecological restoration form an important part of the Maunga's future. As a site of cultural and heritage significance, maintaining a natural and considered approach to the landscape is an important part of these ongoing works.

For newly established planting, however, the early stages of growth can be particularly vulnerable. Areas of the reserve were experiencing disturbance from dogs moving through planted areas before the vegetation had become properly established.

The Tūpuna Maunga Authority approached Brustics to develop a fencing solution that could provide protection when and where it was needed, without introducing a permanent or visually intrusive barrier into the landscape.

A temporary approach to planting protection

Brustics supplied and installed more than 500 linear metres of 1.3 m-high Natural Eucalypt Fencing across various areas of the Maunga.

Rather than installing the fencing permanently, the solution was designed around a temporary waratah-mounted system. This allowed the natural Eucalypt Fencing panels to create a clear and effective physical barrier while remaining relatively straightforward to remove and relocate.

The natural variation and appearance of the Eucalypt helped the fencing sit comfortably within the open landscape, providing a softer alternative to more conventional temporary barriers while complementing the character of the Maunga and its culturally and environmentally significant setting.

For ecological restoration projects, protection during the establishment phase can play an important role in helping newly planted areas develop and thrive. The fencing provided a durable physical barrier during this critical period, while its temporary design meant the material could continue to provide value as restoration progressed across the Maunga.

Protection with a purpose

The fencing was used to protect newly planted areas during their critical establishment period, helping vegetation become sufficiently established before being exposed to regular public and recreational activity.

Importantly, the fencing was not intended to remain in place indefinitely.

Once the planting had become established, typically after approximately six to eight months, the Brustics team returned to remove the fencing and relocate it to newly planted areas elsewhere on the Maunga.

This meant the same fencing could continue to serve a purpose as planting progressed across different parts of the reserve.

Designed to be reused

The approach provided more than temporary protection. By designing the fencing to be removed and relocated, the project created a reusable, durable and cost-effective solution that could adapt alongside the ongoing ecological restoration programme.

Rather than installing permanent fencing around areas that would eventually no longer require protection, the system could move with the needs of the landscape.

This approach also contributes to whole-of-life value. Rather than each newly planted area requiring its own permanent fencing solution, the same fencing can be reused across multiple stages of the restoration programme, extending the value of the original investment and reducing the need for additional materials.

It is a practical approach that demonstrates how natural fencing can be adapted beyond its traditional role as a permanent boundary, while supporting the long-term goals of ecological restoration.

A practical solution for a changing landscape

The Big King / Te Tātua-a-Riukiuta project demonstrates the value of considering not just what a fence needs to do today, but how it can continue to be useful as a landscape changes.

By combining Natural Eucalypt Fencing with a temporary mounting system, Brustics was able to provide a practical balance between plant protection, durability, whole-of-life value, public access, visual character and ongoing reuse.