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EXCAVATOR OPERATOR COMPETITIONS 2025-2026

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Mates and Motors 2026: Unmissable Fun & Fundraising in Taupō!

Mates and Motors 2026: Unmissable Fun & Fundraising in Taupō!


$100.00 Members
$100.00 Consultants
$100.00 Standard Price

Event Detail

Early Bird Offer—Don’t Miss Out!

🐯 Early Bird Entry: $50 + GST per vehicle (car, bike, truck, whatever you drive!)
Lock in your spot for less if you register before 1 April 2026.
After that, standard entry is $100 + GST per vehicle.
Your registration gets you in for the full weekend of fun—show day, cruises, dinners, spot prizes, laughs and more! 

When booking: Enter only one person's name per vehicle. 

Registrations include:
- Access to Mates in Motors all weekend for your group
One vehicle entry to Mates in Motors
Entry to Tongariro Domain
Donation to Mates in Construction

Accommodation discounts for Civil Contractors NZ members still apply—watch out for your exclusive code for Lakeland Resort Taupō in your confirmation email.


Weekend Highlights

Friday 30th October – Welcome Cruise & Social Vibes

Hit the road to Taupō however suits you—convoy with your mates or make it a solo adventure. Check in, relax, grab dinner, then kick things off with our legendary evening cruise! Join convoys from around the region for an epic parade of cars, bikes, and trucks. Make new friends, reunite with old ones, and swap stories as the engines roar through town!

Saturday 31st October – Show, Shine & Unforgettable Experiences

  • 7:00am–8:30am – Kickstart with a brekkie feast at Lakeland Resort (for Friday arrivals)
  • 8:45am – Gather the crew and roll out to Tongariro Domain
  • 9:00am–2:00pm – Show & Shine at Tongariro Domain
    Show off your pride and joy, cast your vote for People’s Choice, and maybe hop into something unique for a waterfront cruise (with a donation—every dollar helps Mates in Construction!)
  • 2:00pm-4:30pm – Group cruise & late lunch (venue TBC)
    Cruise through Taupō ’s best backroads and refuel with some grub and good company
  • 4:30pm onwards – Free time
    Explore Taupō, take in the lake views, snap photos, or grab a yarn with fellow enthusiasts
  • 6:00pm – Legendary Dinner and Prizegiving at Finns Bistro and Beer Garden
    Feast, laugh and cheer as prizes are handed out, spot prizes drawn, and auction items raise the tempo—all for a great cause!

Sunday 1st November – Farewell Cruise

One last cruise, plenty of smiles, and a big group send-off. Leave Taupō with your heart full, your tank empty, and your calendar already marked for next year!


You Can Help Make it EVEN Bigger!

Are you keen to sponsor, donate spot prizes, or contribute an auction item? Getting involved has never been more rewarding—support a brilliant cause, promote your business, and be part of a legendary event!

Bring your mates, bring your motors, and support Mates in Construction—Taupō is waiting!

Seriously: this is the event you’ll be talking about all year. Don’t miss it!


Sponsors

Humes Pipeline Systems

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UDC Finance

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Principal Business Partner
Core Associates
Major Associates
Infrastructure Sustainability Council
Absolute Immigration NZ
n3
Porter Group Limited
Impac Services Limited
OneStaff Limited
RB Recruitment
Geofabrics New Zealand Ltd
TR Group
Infrastructure New Zealand
Global Survey - Auckland
First Gas
Geosynthetic Partners International Ltd
MIMICO NZ Ltd
Terra Infrastructure Pty Ltd
Advice Financial
Aptella
Norwood
Liebherr New Zealand
Wirtgen NZ Ltd
The Drug Detection Agency
Komatsu New Zealand Ltd
Humes Pipeline Systems
GHD Limited
Iplex Pipelines NZ
Remarkable People Ltd
ERoad Ltd
Mico New Zealand Ltd
Firth Certified Concrete
Commercial Hire NZ Ltd
AON New Zealand
SAMI Bitumen Technologies Pty Ltd
BNZ Partners
RobLawMax Recruitment
Manage Company
Turners Group Ltd: Head Office/Auckland
New Zealand Transport Agency
H.J. Asmuss & Co. Ltd
Reliance Reinforcing Limited
Northpine Ltd
Doug the Digger
Hynds Pipe Systems
Site App Pro
Teletrac Navman
Prime Fluid Management
Portacom New Zealand Limited
TDX Ltd
Kobelco New Zealand
Rimkus
TotalEnergies NZ Ltd
Commercial Vehicle Holdings
Youngman Richardson
CivilShare
Assignar
AWF
Plan A
Trade Me Jobs
Coninnova Limited
Westpac NZ Ltd
Bridon Cookes
SG Fleet
beforeUdig
SITECH NZ
AB Equipment Ltd
Franklin Smith Group
Solo
Over and Out Communications
Hydraulink Fluid Connecters Ltd
AECOM New Zealand Limited
Vertical Horizonz NZ Ltd
Central Group
Nulca NZ
Fluiconnecto Ryco New Zealand Ltd
Terra Cat
Connexis
Marley NZ Ltd
Brandt Tractor Limited
Enviro NZ Services Ltd
MATES In Construction
ENZED
Aggregates & Quarry Association
UDC Finance
MBP (NZ) Ltd
AEL
Greenlight Insurance Brokers
Holcim New Zealand Ltd
Winstone Aggregates

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