A field of 12 elite regional champions will do battle in an excavator ‘Royal Rumble’ this week when the Civil Contractors New Zealand CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition touches down at Manfeild Park in Feilding.
This year’s quest to crown New Zealand’s smoothest operator will see the mud fly and competitors’ mettle tested at Central Districts Field Days over 20-21 March.
One of New Zealand’s most unique sporting spectacles, the competition challenges operators to complete a captivating dance of man and machine through tasks such as slam- dunking basketballs, deftly pouring cups of tea and painting pictures using their excavators.
Whangārei man Steven George claimed the national title in 2025 and will return as Defending Champion after qualifying by winning the Northland regional competition for a third consecutive year. The ‘King in the North’ will be aiming to join a select group of operators who have managed to defend their national titles in successive years.
The Steven George Contracting owner-operator said having his children watch him compete at the regional event had been a big motivator.
“Even better than hearing my name called as the winner at the regional competition was having my kids there to watch and cheer me on. They’re three, four, and nine and they say they want to follow in my footsteps and become a digger driver too.”
In an epic test of fine motor skills, last year’s contest featured a giant game similar to Connect Four but played with excavators, tested by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in 2024. The competition also tests operators’ core abilities, featuring health and safety quizzes and excavator pre-start checks, plus the Connexis One-day Job Challenge where operators are examined on their ability to scope and plan a job from start to finish, then execute it.
Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard said in addition to recognising the skills of talented construction workers, this year’s competition had added significance in light of the critical role excavator operators play in disaster response around the country.
“The devastating floods and landslides that struck parts of the upper North Island in January were a stark reminder of the key role skilled excavator operators play in protecting and rebuilding communities when disaster strikes, as well as in infrastructure construction.
“Excavator operators were among the first responders on the ground, clearing roads, removing debris and helping restore access to isolated communities. Their work in the aftermath of those events was nothing short of heroic, and it’s a side of their profession that often goes unrecognised.”
An EPIC Careers Hub will run alongside the excavator operator competition course during Central Districts Field Days, for members of the public interested in learning about excavator operation or exploring the wide range of careers in the civil construction industry.
Pollard said the demand for skilled excavator operators was set to increase significantly, with the Government’s Roads of National Significance programme gaining momentum and major water infrastructure projects on the horizon.
“These major projects signal the start of a large wave of work, which will require more excavator operators as it ramps up. The national competition is not just a hugely entertaining day out, but also an opportunity to inspire the next generation to pick up the tools and be part of building the future infrastructure our country needs.”
Doug the Digger returns to the national finals to run a ‘mini dig’ experience that gives children the opportunity to jump in the seat of an excavator and mimic the skills they see demonstrated on the competition course. This year he celebrates his 20th anniversary at the event and decades of inspiring new generations of civil construction professionals.
The Platinum Sponsor for this year’s competition is CablePrice, which has been a longstanding supporter of the industry and the competition. CablePrice also provides and services the state-of-the-art Hitachi excavators the competitors operate during the event.
The other major competition sponsors are Attach2, beforeUdig, Caltex Lubricants, Civil Trades, Connexis, Contractor Magazine, Doug the Digger, First Gas, Hirepool and Humes.
Finalists: CCNZ CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition 2026
Northland: Steven George, Steven George Contracting Limited (Defending Champion)
Whangārei’s Steven George is the defending champion, having won last year’s national competition, and is representing his own company Steven George Contracting Limited.
Experience will be on George’s side after winning the national competition in 2025, placing third in 2024 and finishing as runner-up in 2023.
George said family support had been key to his success at the regional event this year.
“Even better than hearing my name called as the winner at the regional competition was having my kids there to watch and cheer me on. They’re three, four, and nine and they say they want to follow in my footsteps and become a digger driver too.”
Auckland: Cameron Mabey, TDM Construction
Papakura’s Cameron Mabey said defending his Auckland regional excavator operator competition title this year had been a “big weight off the shoulders”.
The foreman and excavator operator for TDM Construction said he was looking forward to putting in a better performance in his second tilt at the national finals.
“I think I’ve got a chance – I’ve just got to keep calm headed and do what I do.”
Bay of Plenty: Andy Morris, Bay Civil
Bay Civil excavator operator and foreman Andy Morris, from Tauranga, said years of experience honing his skills on the job helped him triumph at his fourth attempt at the Bay of Plenty regional competition this year.
When asked how he would go at the nationals the veteran competitor remained typically humble. “Hopefully good,” he laughed.
Waikato: Zahnn Hedges, Connell Contractors
Hamilton man Zahnn Hedges is employed as an earthworks supervisor and foreman for Connell Contractors and said he was thrilled to have taken top spot after finishing third in three of his previous four attempts at the Waikato regional competition.
“I honed in a bit more this year and tried really hard not to rush some of the tasks I might have in the past – it’s all about being fine on the levers.”
Hawke's Bay East Coast: Marcus Ingram, Galbraith Earthmovers
Marcus Ingram is an excavator operator on the rise after achieving his childhood dream of driving diggers in 2023 for Galbraith Earthmovers. His rapid rise to fame behind the controls comes from helping out his Hawke’s Bay community following Cyclone Gabrielle with essential repair works.
At 24 years of age, he is the youngest competitor in the field this year.
“I’m pretty stoked about going to the nationals,” he said. “I’m fairly new to the industry so I’m not too familiar with anyone else going to compete – it will be good to meet them.”
Taranaki: Ryan Prankerd, King Road Contracting
Egmont Village’s Ryan Prankerd is the owner-operator of King Road Contracting.
Prankerd said he was “grateful and a bit surprised” about his win in the Taranaki regional excavator operator competition as it was only his second time competing.
“I’ll be going to nationals with a clear head and giving it a good crack. It will be great to meet some other top excavator operators from around the rest of the country too.”
Manawatū Whanganui: Dean Cave, McIntyre Construction
Dean Cave hadn’t competed in the Manawatū Whanganui regional competition for ten years, but his win in this year’s regional round proved the local champion hadn’t allowed any rust to settle on his silky excavator operating skills.
The Marton man said he intends to “give it a good nudge” at the national finals in front of what promises to be a big hometown crowd.
Wellington Wairarapa: Corey Olson, Sierra Delta Civil
Featherston’s Corey Olson started his civil construction career travelling across New Zealand constructing golf and motocross courses and now works for Sierra Delta Civil. The expert excavator operator is on a roll after two wins in a row at the regional competition as well as success in 2023.
“I’m looking forward to nationals,” he said. “It’s my third time this year, and I think I’ll be a bit more prepared … I’m looking forward to getting up there and getting amongst it again and seeing the other champs from across the country in action. It’s usually a pretty good course.”
Nelson Marlborough: Daniel Bruning, Diggs Ltd
Daniel Bruning from Golden Bay runs his own business Diggs Ltd and said his excavator-operating experience tackling house sites, water-tank pads, road maintenance and vegetation work was the difference at the Nelson Marlborough regional event.
With this being only his second time competing at the regional competition and his first win, he said he didn’t want to speculate on his chances at the national competition.
“I was feeling pretty good about the regional event but … I’m nervous about the nationals. I was talking to Lydia Hill [Last year's Nelson Marlborough champion] and she has given me a few tips,” he said.
Canterbury Westland: Sam Burleigh, Thompson Engineering 2002
Timaru man Sam Burleigh’s perseverance was rewarded with his first win at the Canterbury Westland regional competition in five attempts. He did however make an appearance at the national competition in 2024 to replace the regional winner who broke his leg just prior to the event and couldn’t compete.
The Thompson Engineering 2002 foreman has been driving excavators since he was 18 years old and said he was looking forward to the national finals.
“I’m not too sure how I feel about going to the nationals – I’m pretty nervous. There’s plenty of talented people out there. It’s all pretty overwhelming. It’s a bloody honour to go and represent Timaru.”
Otago: Damien Nagle, Pro Civil
Dunedin local Damien Nagle works for Pro Civil and surprised himself by winning the Otago regional competition at his first attempt.
“I’m overly proud of achieving something like this and thought I’d be nowhere near where I actually was,” he said.
After his victory he said he was looking forward to testing his mettle at the national finals.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet, but I’m quite happy and want to go forward onto the next stage definitely.”
Southland: Jahna Crombie, Supreme Site Works
Jahna Crombie from Supreme Site Works started his excavator operating career in 2019 after breaking his leg and deciding he’d had enough of being a builder.
He was “absolutely stoked” with his win in what was only his second shot at the Southland regional competition and said he was looking forward to representing the region at the nationals.
“I feel like I do very well under pressure so I think I will do fine. I'm feeling pretty confident.”