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.

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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