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 2026–2027	Winners
Waikato - Field Days, Mystery Creek	11-13 June 2026	Andrew Prince
Bay of Plenty - Field Days, Mystery Creek	11-13 June 2026	John Rohloff
Canterbury Westland - Road Metals Quarry	3 October 2026
Hawke's Bay East Coast - Hawkes Bay A&P	10 October 2026
Nelson Marlborough - Nelson A&P Show	21 November 2026
Taranaki - Stratford A&P Show	28 November 2026
Northland - Whangārei A&P Show	5 December 2026
Southland - Winton A&P Show	17 January 2027
Otago - Taieri A&P Show	24 January 2027
Auckland - Franklin A&P Show	19-20 February 2027
Wellington Wairarapa - Brewtown	27 February 2027
Manawatū Whanganui - National Driver Training Centre, Feilding	7 March 2027
National Finals - Central District Field Days, Feilding	18-20 March 2027

Thank you to our 2026-2027 event sponsors:

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

HBEC REOC Excavator Operator Competition - 17th & 18th October 2025

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Hawkes Bay East Coast Branch Regional Excavator Operator Competition - Friday 17th & Saturday 18th October 2025 Winners prize valued at $4000 - Laser, receiver and tripod kindly sponsored by Aptella

Entries Now Invited - CCNZ Nelson Marlborough Excavator Operator Competition 22.11.25

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READY TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE? Whether you're a rising star with fresh skills or a seasoned veteran with years of experience, this is YOUR chance to prove you're the best multiskilled excavator operator in Nelson Marlborough.

🏆 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.