A field of 12 elite regional champions from around New Zealand 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 March 20-21.
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,” he said.
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,” he said.
“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.
Alan 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,” he said.
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.
