Excavator Operator Competitions 2025-2026
Since 1994, Kiwi excavator operators have been competing in the annual Civil Contractors New Zealand National Excavator Operator Competition, an event still going strong. In the national event, the champions of CCNZ’s Regional Excavator Operator Competitions (REOCs) compete in March each year at the Central District Field Days in Feilding.
CCNZ congratulates all the finalists from the 2024-2025 National Excavator Operator Competition, which was held from 14-15 March at Manfeild Park in Feilding during Central Districts Field Days. The 2025 Competition Winner was Steven George of Steven George Contracting Limited in Northland. Click to read about the results
Sponsorships available for 2025-2026. If your company is interested in getting involved in the next round of regional and national events and exposing your brand across the country for the 2025/26 season of Excavator Operator Competitions, please contact the CCNZ Membership and Events Manager for more info.
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Marcus Ingram
| Region & Event location |
Competition Dates 2025–2026 |
Winners |
Company |
| Waikato - Field Days, Mystery Creek |
12-14 June 2025 |
Zahnn Hedges |
|
| Bay of Plenty - Field Days, Mystery Creek |
12-14 June 2025 |
Andy Morris
|
|
| Canterbury Westland - Road Metals Quarry |
4 October 2025 |
Sam Burleigh
|
|
| Hawke's Bay East Coast - Gisborne A&P Show |
17-18 October 2025 |
Marcus Ingram
|
|
| Nelson Marlborough - Nelson A&P Show |
22 November 2025 |
Daniel Bruning |
|
| Taranaki - Stratford A&P Show |
29 November 2025 |
Ryan Prankerd |
|
| Northland - Whangārei A&P Show |
6 December 2025 |
TBC |
| Southland - Winton A&P Show |
17 January 2026 |
TBC |
| Otago - Taieri A&P Show |
24 January 2026 |
TBC |
| Auckland - Franklin A&P Show, Pukekohe Showgrounds |
21-22 February 2026 |
TBC |
| Wellington Wairarapa - TBC |
28 February 2026 |
TBC |
| Manawatū Whanganui - National Driver Training Centre, Feilding |
8 March 2026 |
TBC |
| National Finals - Central District Field Days, Feilding |
19-21 March 2026 |
TBC |
Thank you to our 2025-2026 event sponsors:
08:00 AM Sat, 17 Jan 2026
Winton Showgrounds
64 Racecourse Road
Winton
The battle for the region's best excavator operator is back!
Join us on 17th January at the Winton A&P show for this epic showdown! A great day out for all the family.
Think you have what it takes to be crowned the best excavator operator in Southland? Read on...
08:00 AM Sat, 24 Jan 2026
Taieri A&P Showgrounds
320 Gordon Road, Mosgiel 9092
Otago’s finest excavator operators will battle it out to see who’s the best multi-skilled operator in the region!
Join us for an action-packed day at the Taieri A&P Showgrounds, Mosgiel
09:00 AM Sat, 21 Feb 2026
Franklin A&P Show
58 Station Road, Pukekohe
Are you Auckland's best multi-skilled excavator operator? Is there someone in your business who is a whizz on an excavator?
Enter the Auckland Region Excavator Operator Competition being held 21-22 February 2026 at the Franklin A&P Show in Pukekohe.
07:00 AM Fri, 20 Mar 2026
Central District Field Days 2026
59 South Street, Feilding 4705
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!
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