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.
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| Region & Event location |
Competition Dates 2025–2026 |
Winners |
Company |
| 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: