Excavator Operator Competitions | Civil Contractors NZ

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 2025-2026 National Excavator Operator Competition, which was held from 19-21 March 2026 at Manfeild Park in Feilding during Central Districts Field Days.

The 2026 Competition Winner was Steven George of Steven George Contracting Limited in Northland.
Runner-up: Marcus Ingram, Galbraith Earthmovers, Hawke’s Bay East Coast.
Third Place: Ryan Prankerd, King Road Contracting, Taranaki.
Connexis One-day Job Challenge: Dean Cave, McIntyre Construction, Manawatū Whanganui.
Humes MVP Award: Ryan Prankerd, King Road Contracting, Taranaki.
Geoff Duff Memorial Trophy: Daniel Bruning, Diggs Ltd, Nelson Marlborough.

Click to read about the results

Sponsorship information for 2026-2027 coming soon.

Follow along with all regional and national competitions and updates on our Facebook page

Region & Event location	Competition Dates 2025–2026	Winners
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	Steven George
Southland - Winton A&P Show	17 January 2026	Jahna Crombie
Otago - Taieri A&P Show	24 January 2026	Damien Nagle
Auckland - Franklin A&P Show	21 February 2026	Cameron Mabey
Wellington Wairarapa - Brewtown	28 February 2026	Corey Olson
Manawatū Whanganui - National Driver Training Centre, Feilding	8 March 2026	Dean Cave
National Finals - Central District Field Days, Feilding	19-21 March 2026	Steven George

Thank you to our 2025-2026 event sponsors:

Naming rights & Platinum sponsor: CablePrice
Gold sponsors: Attach2, Connexis, First Gas, Hirepool and Humes
Silver sponsor: Caltex Lubricants
Bronze sponsors: beforeUdig, Civil Trades, Doug the Digger , Contractor Magazine

🏆 CCNZ Canterbury Westland Branch Regional Excavator Operator Competition

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ENTRIES CLOSED - ALL SPOTS HAVE BEEN FILLED! WHO WILL BE CROWNED THE REGION'S BEST MULTISKILLED OPERATOR? The Ultimate Test of Skill, Precision & Excellence Are you ready to prove you're Canterbury Westland's top excavator operator? Join us for the most exciting competition in the construction calendar, where operators from across the region will battle it out for the ultimate prize – representing Canterbury Westland at the National Excavator Operator Finals!

CCNZ CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition 14 & 15 March 2025

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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 annual National Excavator Operator Competition will be held at Central Districts Field Days in Feilding from 14-15 March 2025.

2025 Manawatū-Whanganui CablePrice Regional Excavator Operator

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We are excited to announce that entries are now open for the CablePrice Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Excavator Operator Competition 2025! This is your chance to put your skills to the test, compete against the best operators in our region, and showcase the expertise and precision that define our industry. Whether you're an experienced operator or keen to give it a go, we encourage you to enter and be part of this fantastic event.

Wellington Wairarapa CablePrice Regional Excavator Operator Competition - 22 February 2025

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Wellington & Wairarapa region’s finest excavator operators will battle it out on February 22, 2025 at Brewtown, Upper Hutt - take your chance to be named Wellington's top excavator operator!

Otago Regional Excavator Operator Competition

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Are you an excavator operator with mad skills? Be sure to enter... Competition takes place at the Taieri A&P Show 25 January 2025

CCNZ Northland Regional Excavator Operator Competition | 7 December 2024

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December 7th 2024 at the Whangarei A&P Show - Barge Park Showgrounds, Maunu, Whangarei.

CCNZ Nelson Marlborough Branch Excavator Operator Competition 23rd November 2024

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Entries are now open for our CCNZ Nelson Marlborough Branch Excavator Operator Competition to be held on Saturday the 23rd of November at the Nelson A & P Show.

CCNZ Taranaki Regional Excavator Operator Competition 2024 & Christmas Function 16th November

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On the 16th November, take your chance to be named Taranaki's top excavator operator! The winner will go on to represent the region at the national competition in March 2025.

2025 Auckland Excavator Operator Competition

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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 15 - 16 February 2025 at the Franklin A&P Show in Pukekohe.