17/06/2025
FYI;
In New Zealand, generally, you are not allowed to have sharp, pointy spikes on fences that could cause harm to people. This is particularly true for fences on residential properties and at schools. While anti-climb spikes designed to deter climbing are allowed, they must be blunt, plastic spikes that are not designed to cause injury.
Elaboration:
Hazardous Fences:
The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 in New Zealand prohibits fences that could cause harm to people. This includes fences with sharp edges, protruding members, or features like cut-steel "arrow heads" or single and triple-pointed palisades.
Schools:
The Ministry of Education has specific guidelines for fencing at schools, emphasizing the exclusion of sharp edges and protruding parts to prevent injuries.
Residential Properties:
While there might be specific bylaws in some areas, generally, sharp or pointed fence tops are discouraged due to safety concerns and potential liability for injuries.
Anti-Climb Spikes:
Blunt, plastic anti-climb spikes are permitted and often used to deter climbing by cats, foxes, or unwanted human intruders. These are designed to be uncomfortable to climb over but not to cause injury.
Kāinga Ora:
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities (formerly Housing New Zealand) has guidelines for fences, which include stipulations that there should be no sharp tops or spikes on panels and that any sheet metal clad fences with a sharp top must have a securely fastened U flashing over the top edge to prevent injury.
Keep safe all.