Twelve regional champions will compete in the CCNZ CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition from 14-15 March at Central Districts Field Days in Feilding. These champions have been victorious in regional excavator operator competitions, held across the country to find New Zealand's top excavator operators.

Auckland: Cameron Mabey, TDM Construction

Papakura man Cameron Mabey works for TDM Construction and said his fifth-place finish at Auckland’s regional event last year had given him the taste he needed to take top spot this year.

The excavator operator and site foreman said he would approach his debut nationals appearance without any assumptions and give it his all.

“It will be a step up but just getting there is a good achievement. I’ll go into it open-minded – I’m looking forward to it.”

Bay of Plenty: John Rohloff, Fulton Hogan

John Rohloff from Te Puke works for Fulton Hogan specialising in bulk earthworks, loading trucks and spreading metal across the Bay of Plenty. This year will be his first time at the national finals and he said he felt nervous but was excited at the same time.

“Not knowing any of the tasks will be the biggest challenge – I’m going to have to think on my feet.”

Waikato: Michael Brown, Fulton Hogan

Hamilton operator Michael Brown works for Fulton Hogan and specialises in bulk earthworks and quarrying with more than 20 years of experience driving machines. This year will be his second time at the finals, after placing as the runner up in 2024, and he said he’s looking forward to the challenge and seeing some of his mates in the competition line up

“This time round I’m going to make sure I’m more consistent. I know I can do it – I’ve just got to get it done over the days.”

Hawke's Bay East Coast: Tanya Claxton, Higgins

Waipukurau woman Tanya Claxton works as a foreperson for Higgins in Central Hawke’s Bay. This year will be her first time at the finals, after first tackling the regionals 19 years ago.

Speaking to the Hawke’s Bay Today after her win at the 2024 Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Regional competition, she said: “It would be so nice to win at nationals, but just getting there is so good. There’s always someone better than you, but it’s about being the best on the day, and proving girls can - and do - do everything.”

Taranaki: Jarrod See, Graham Harris Ltd

Jarrod See from Stratford works for Graham Harris Ltd, doing everything from earthworks on public land and amenities through to new subdivisions. He won the Taranaki regional competition after flying home from a Coldplay concert the night before, and he hopes to remain just as relaxed and ice-cool in Feilding.

This year will be his first time at the finals and he said he was going to give it his best shot.

“I’m just going to go in with an open mind and see what happens.”

Manawatū Whanganui: Daniel Watt, ARC Asbestos Removal and Demolition

Daniel Watt from Palmerston North has worked in civil construction for 15 years and said he was thrilled to pick up the win in his first-ever attempt at the regional competition.

“I’ll just go into it with the same approach and try to keep an open mind. I’ll definitely have the home support – there should be a good 15 people cheering me on, family and people from the company.”

Wellington Wairarapa: Corey Olson, Black Axe Contracting

Corey Olson, from Featherson, started his civil construction career travelling across New Zealand constructing golf and motocross courses and recently founded Black Axe Contracting as a landscaping business. After four attempts at the regional competition this was his second win, after success in 2023.

"I'm a little bit more confident this year. I've got a fair idea of what I'm getting into this time, so I’ll brush up on a few things and we'll see how it goes."

Nelson Marlborough: Lydia Hill, Elite Excavations Marlborough

Lydia Hill from Blenheim works for Elite Excavations Marlborough and has been operating excavators on civil construction projects across the Nelson Marlborough region, including on the new Whale Trail from Picton to Kaikōura.

She grew up on a farm and has been operating excavators since she was 14 years old but admitted to being “slightly terrified” about competing on the national stage.

“I’m looking forward to it, I’ve heard things get pretty serious. It should be great.”

Otago: Josh Keane, McEwan Haulage

Dunedin local Josh Keane works for McEwan Haulage and is hoping to strike it third time lucky after two previous appearances at the finals, where he had placed fifth and third.

He said the national finals were “a different ball game” to the regional event and he planned to do his best to keep the title in Otago after last year’s champion Troy Calteaux, from Milton, made the move into judging this year.

Southland: Brad Fallow, SouthRoads

Brad Fallow from Invercargill works for SouthRoads on bridge building, bulk earthworks and drainage. This year will be his second time at the national finals, where he will represent Southland against 11 other winners from regional competitions.

“Last year I got a taste of the finals so I’m looking forward to getting back there. Hopefully I won’t be a nervous wreck like I was my first time around,” he said.

Canterbury Westland: Georgia Lyford, Schick Civil Construction

Georgia Lyford from Christchurch works for Schick Civil Construction as a drainage operator and triumphed in the 2024 Canterbury Westland regional competition after two previous attempts. She said this time “she won it for the girls”.

“I’m only 23 so it will be cool to go to the finals in Feilding and prove to all the other young girls considering a career in civil construction that we can do it too.”

Northland: Steven George, Steven George Contracting Limited

Steven George, from Whangārei, is an owner-operator with his own company Steven George Contracting Limited.

It will be the third time he has been to the nationals and George said he had “unfinished business” in Feilding after placing third in his last finals outing in March 2024 and runner up to Troy Calteaux of Otago, in 2023.