Technician in race for Oceania title

A Rotorua marine technician has been selected to compete for the crown of Oceania's top Yamaha technician.

Tony Powell, service manager at Telfer Marine & Leisure, is this week competing in the company's 2012 Tech GP in Brisbane.

The event is run every two years by Yamaha's service department to crown the top marine technician in the region.

Mr Powell is one of just two New Zealanders selected, along with Auckland's Rhys Sutton, after he topped the entrance exam from those that entered. It's the first time Telfer Marine & Leisure has had a team member in the competition and Shona Telfer said she was delighted.

"We're very proud,'' she said. "He's a good guy to have working for you. He's good with people ... it's great.''

She said Mr Powell, who flew to Brisbane yesterday, was looking forward to the event _ not least because of the big prize on offer for the winner.

"If he does [win] he gets a trip to Japan, where the Yamaha factory is,'' she said.

Mr Powell and his fellow finalists will be treated to some free time on the Gold Coast to enjoy some of the Yamaha products.

Yamaha Motor NZ Marine service rep Mark Taiatini said the event was aimed at recognising the contribution that service technicians made and acted as an incentive to help raise service standards.