Tauranga local Andy Morris was named the Bay of Plenty’s top excavator operator at a prize-giving in Papamoa last night, earning him a coveted spot in the CCNZ CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition grand final in Feilding next year.

His victory followed a gruelling duel of diggers at the Bay of Plenty and Waikato Regional Excavator Operator Competition, held at Fieldays two weeks ago. 

The competition saw operators dig deep to complete extreme tests of precision and excavator expertise, including crowd-pleasing challenges such as dunking a basketball, moving a manhole cover without spilling a drink placed on top of it, and opening a beer using no more than a deft touch and the smooth operation of their Hitachi machines.

The Bay Civil excavator operator and foreman said this year’s event was the fourth regional competition he had competed in, although it had been almost a decade since his last appearance.

“It’s a changed a lot since the last time I was there, the amount of tasks you have to do is a whole lot more and there’s 100% a lot more time pressure.”

He put his success down to good time management, as well as the skills he used every day, particularly the “meticulous drainage work” he was often involved in.

Morris' victory over the 10 other elite Bay of Plenty excavator operators at the event was determined after comprehensive scoring across the range of precision-operating tasks and a health and safety test.

Lincoln Wikitera, from CB Civil, claimed second place in a closely-fought contest, while defending champion John Rohloff from Fulton Hogan rounded out the podium in third place. 

Morris’ employer Bay Civil had double cause for celebration, with Morris and colleague Ben Patterson combining to win the team competition at the event.

Competition lead judge James Lux said the skill on display this year was “next level”, with the “young guns” nipping at the heels of the more seasoned operators and giving them a run for their money. 

Lux said as well as allowing operators to showcase their skills, the regional competition at Fieldays aimed to inspire the public to learn more about the civil construction industry and consider excavator operating as a career option. 

The prize-giving ceremony last night was held at Island Bar and sponsored by Success Group. It brought together the operators who competed in the regional competition, alongside colleagues, supporters and sponsors from the Bay of Plenty civil construction scene. 

Morris will join winners from 12 other regional competitions across New Zealand at Central Districts Field Days next year for the national finals, in a quest to secure the ultimate accolade of New Zealand's supreme excavator operator.

When asked how he would go at the nationals he replied that it was a “tough question”. “Hopefully good,” he laughed.

Bay of Plenty winner Andy Morris (left) with CCNZ Bay of Plenty Branch Chair Gerry McLaughlan.