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EXCAVATOR OPERATOR COMPETITIONS 2024-2025

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CCNZ CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition 2021

CCNZ CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition 2021

Date/Time: date_range 06:00AM Thu, 18 Mar 2021 - 11:59PM Sat 20, Mar 2021
Registrations Close: create 18 March 2021
Venue: directions Manfeild Raceway
59 South Street, Feilding
Civil Contractors Way

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Contact: email eve@civilcontractors.co.nz
Resources Download: get_app CCNZ CablePrice National Exavator Operator Competition Sponsorship Proposal

Event Detail

Prepare for excitement as New Zealand’s finest excavator operators battle it out to be crowned National Excavator Operator of the Year in the CCNZ CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition!

The 26th National Excavator Operator Competition will be held at Central Districts Field Days in Feilding from 18-20 March 2021. 

Meet the contenders

Defending Champion: Riki Lum, Clements Contractors
A true craftsman with earth and steel, Riki Lum is also a master carver. He won last year’s event in a landslide victory, pulling clear of his nearest rival in the one-day job challenge by 20 points. Riki hails from Northland, and has worked on a range of different projects, developing a reputation for excellence, efficiency and an artist’s touch.

 

Northland: Stephen Jamieson, Fulton Hogan




 
 
Auckland: Tevita Tautua’a, Vita Civil
Tevita might have started off in civil construction as a traffic controller six and a half years ago, but he’s proven himself a natural behind the controls of an excavator. He faced off against more than 30 competitors at the Auckland Regional Excavator Operator Competition on his way to nationals, scoring 286 out of a possible 300 points.

 
Waikato: Mike Bowe, Bowe Brothers Excavating
Mike Bowe is a three-time Waikato champion and an owner-operator with an eye for detail. He enjoys working on projects big and small, especially challenging hill sites which keep him ‘switched on’.

 

Bay of Plenty: Craig Crowley, Crowley Excavators
Craig is a veteran owner-operator who has been behind the controls since he was 18. Environmentally sensitive earthworks are his specialty. Many Bay of Plenty orchards and vineyards have been prepared by his hand.

 

Hawke’s Bay East Coast: Dan Mepham, Gair Contracting
Dan Mepham of Gair Contracting was a contender at the 2018 competition winning the one-day job and, missing out on nationals by a single point in 2019. This year, he’s hoping it’s third time lucky.

 

Taranaki: John Northcott, Graham Harris Ltd.
John is a globetrotting operator, having worked in London and taken on demolition jobs inside the Sydney Opera House. His wide-ranging experience has prepared him to take on any excavation challenge.

 

Manawatu: Neil Tau, Downer
Hometown hero Neil Tau won the Manawatu regionals over last year’s runner-up Jim Beamsley. While he’s nervous about having a big audience, watching his skills should be a real treat.

 

Wellington Wairarapa: Ben Jones, Action Civil
Action man Ben Jones is a site foreman who works on residential drainage and infrastructure projects. He was the first man to take on this year’s Wellington Wairarapa course. His work ethic meant he was also last to leave, working to clean up the site (and polish his skills in the process).


Nelson Marlborough: Leslie Smith, Edridge Contracting
‘Smithy’ (as he is usually known) is a veteran operator, operating excavators in civil, forestry and mining for 34 years. He said his win came down to awareness of health and safety practices - recognised as a key part of the job, along will efficiency and precision.
 

Canterbury Westland: Sam Gilchrist, Dormer Construction
Sam is passionate about excavators, and took every opportunity to get behind the controls from a young age. He sees great opportunity in the civil construction industry, and loves taking on a challenge. Unfortunately, he won't be competing and has pulled out of the competition - he is stuck in Australia and can't get through MiQ!

 

Otago: Troy Calteaux, Andrew Haulage
Troy was the 2018 champion, but he put family before fame last year to attend the birth of his child rather than defend his title. This meant he had to win the Otago finals to make a comeback. He did it in style, proving he’s one of the very best and adding a second Defending Champion to the mix.


Southland: Brandon Ferguson, Fulton Hogan

 

Check out the action from the 2019 event:

 

This year's event wouldn't be possible without our awesome sponsors.

 

Platinum and Naming Rights Sponsor: CablePrice

Contact: email eve@civilcontractors.co.nz

Sponsors

beforeUdig
beforeUdig is an online service which enables anyone undertaking excavation to obtain information on the location of cables, pipes and other utility assets in and around any proposed dig site, helping to protect themselves and valuable assets during these works. In most cases it provides a ‘one stop shop’ for contractors to communicate about their planned activities with utilities and authorities.
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CablePrice
CablePrice is the Platinum and Naming Rights Sponsor of the CCNZ CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition and is also a Core Associate member of CCNZ.
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Connexis
Connexis is a Gold Sponsor and provides nationally-recognised qualifications for the civil industry and is heavily involved in career promotion at the regional and national excavator operator competitions.
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First Gas
First Gas have been Gold Sponsors of the National Excavator Operator Competition since the very first competition back in 1994.
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Hirepool
Hirepool is a Gold Sponsor of the National Excavator Operator Competition and CCNZ Principal Business Partner since 2004.
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HUMES
HUMES have been Gold Sponsors of the National Excavator Operator Competition since the very first competition back in 1994.
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Pirtek
Pirtek is our newest Gold Sponsor, coming on board for the 2020/21 round of competitions.
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Z Energy
Z Energy is a Gold Sponsor of the National Excavator Operator Competition and Core Associate member and have supported CCNZ and our members for many years.
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Principal Business Partner
Core Associates
Major Associates
Enviro NZ Services Ltd
Checksafe Ltd
MATES In Construction
Nulca NZ
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Steelgal NZ Ltd
BNZ Partners
Portacom New Zealand Limited
Coninnova Limited
UDC Finance
n3
First Gas
Northpine Ltd
Southeys Group Auckland
Brolube New Zealand
SITECH NZ
Milwaukee Tool New Zealand
Assignar
TDX Ltd
Youngman Richardson
Franklin Smith Group
TVH NEW ZEALAND
Over and Out Communications
Terra Infrastructure Pty Ltd
TR Group
Marley NZ Ltd
ENZED
Hydraulink Fluid Connecters Ltd
MBP (NZ) Ltd
Westpac NZ Ltd
Porter Group Limited
Absolute Immigration NZ
Fluiconnecto Ryco New Zealand Ltd
Liebherr New Zealand
Commercial Hire NZ Ltd
AECOM New Zealand Limited
AWF
Trade Me Jobs
Sheet Pile Ltd
The Drug Detection Agency
H.J. Asmuss & Co. Ltd
Turners Group Ltd: Head Office/Auckland
Vertical Horizonz NZ Ltd
Komatsu New Zealand Ltd
Brandt Equipment
Capital Consulting International NZ Limited
Connexis
ERoad Ltd
Infrastructure Sustainability Council
Mico New Zealand Ltd
Kobelco New Zealand
Winstone Aggregates
Hynds Pipe Systems
Teletrac Navman
TLC Insurance Limited
Rettenmaier New Zealand Ltd
RobLawMax Recruitment
Blick
MIMICO NZ Ltd
Reliance Reinforcing Limited
A B Equipment Ltd
John Deere Limited
TRIG Instruments
Wirtgen NZ Ltd
Geosynthetic Partners International Ltd
Terra Cat
Solo
Advice Financial
Power Farming New Zealand Ltd
Vertu Equipment Limited
Firth Certified Concrete
Manage Company
CSP Div of Fletcher Steel
XCMG New Zealand
CivilShare
Global Survey - Auckland
TotalEnergies NZ Ltd
beforeUdig
Parallaxx
Greenlight Insurance Brokers
Infrastructure New Zealand
Doug the Digger
Geofabrics New Zealand Ltd
Aptella
Humes Pipeline Systems
SAMI Bitumen Technologies New Zealand Ltd
Holcim New Zealand Ltd

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