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

CCNZ Nelson Marlborough Regional Excavator Operator Competition 2023

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If you are a multi-skilled excavator operator, then this is the competition for you! The winner will not only take out the title of best operator in the Nelson Marlborough area, but they will also represent their region at the National final with all expenses paid!

CCNZ Southland Regional Excavator Operator Competition 2023/24

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There are amazingly skilled excavator operators in the Southland region, could you be the next winner of this prestigious title? The winner will also represent their region at the National Finals, with all travel expenses paid :)

CCNZ Canterbury Westland Regional Excavator Operator Competition 2023

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Are you the best multi-skilled excavator operator in the Canterbury Westland region? Put you skills to the test at our competition, where the winner will not only take out bragging rights but they will represent their region at the national finals held at Central District Field Days in Feilding end of March 2024.

Waikato & BOP Excavator Operator Competition 2023

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16-17 June 2023 Register Now!

CCNZ Northland Regional Excavator Operator Competition 2023

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December 2nd 2023 at the Whangarei A&P Show - Barge Park Showgrounds, Maunu, Whangarei.

Cable Price Manawatu-Whanganui Regional Excavator Operation Competition, Sunday 5 March 2023

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Operators are put through a variety of challenges and we'd love for you to join us.

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 Friday 10 - Sunday 12 February 2023 at Out of Space Storage in Papakura.