Welcome to our final Stockade Quick Fire Five interview for 2020. This month, we meet William and Courtney Lake who run Lake Contracting in Omakau, Central Otago. They specialise in rural farm fencing putting huge ‘k’s on the clock servicing from Cromwell to Millers Flat and over to the Maniototo. William has been fencing for just shy of 20 years and bought out the family fencing business from his father, Ken Lake, three years ago.
What makes a great fencer?
Someone who takes pride in their work, has good standards and lives up to them. Not cutting corners!
What is your greatest fencing achievement?
Owning our own business. (A close second great achievement must have been meeting William’s future bride, Courtney, who was working at Winton Hospital while he was nearby on a fencing job.)
What was your first tool?
An e-swing hammer Dad gave to me when I was 16. It’s still a favourite.
What keeps you motivated?
My two daughters, Lucy and Freya.
What’s next?
We are looking at expanding a wee bit staff-wise. There’s plenty of work to do with the waterway regulations coming in and with our continued high country work we have a busy year ahead.