Marton excavator operator Dean Cave to compete in national competition

Dean Cave carries out the 'water pour' challenge at the Civil Construction NZ Regional Excavator Operator Competition in Feilding. Photo / CCNZ

A Marton man is heading to the national Excavator Operator Competition after he triumphed at the regional competition.

Dean Cave was crowned regional champion for Manawatū-Whanganui at the event held by Civil Contractors NZ (CCNZ) in Feilding on March 8.

After failing to place in the competition a decade ago, Cave said it was “a pretty cool thing” to have won the regional round.

“There’s newer machines and technology on the course these days and there was a bit more of a breeze and some rain this year, which made the water pour challenge a bit tougher,” he said.

Ten elite excavator operators clashed during the regional showdown held at the Manfeild National Driver Training Centre.

Cave, who represented the McIntyre Construction team, will return to the Feilding venue to compete at the national finals on March 20-21 during the Central Districts Field Days.

Cave said he would “give it a good nudge” in front of his hometown crowd.

The showdown will see Cave and 11 other regional champions endeavour to secure the title of New Zealand’s ultimate excavator operator.

CCNZ chief executive Alan Pollard said the prize pack for competitors totalled more than $10,000, with major prizes also for second and third.

“People like Dean Cave have the skills we need as a country,” Pollard said.

“Hardworking excavator operators, who construct and maintain the country’s roads, water networks and other infrastructure, but also respond in the case of an emergency or natural disaster.”

One of the challenges faced by this year’s regional competitors involved using their high-tech, 3-tonne Hitachi excavators to pour water from one bucket into another without spilling a drop.

Other challenges testing their expertise and precision included a slalom – weaving through road cones without knocking over any, traversing logs, painting a picture and slam dunking a basketball.

Operators were assessed on their foundational industry knowledge through a health and safety knowledge test and excavator pre-start checks.

Last year’s regional champion, Daniel Watt from ARC Asbestos Removal and Demolition, took second place, while another past regional champion, Neil Tau from Central Demolition, placed third.

Ashhurst-based company Brownell Earthmoving won the inter-company trophy for best combined score.

A highlight was the special presentation of $14,000 to Mates in Construction, a programme for building and construction workplaces.

CCNZ Manawatū-Whanganui chairman Jason Cryer said the charity played a vital role in looking after the mental health and wellbeing of people in the industry.

“We support them so they can support our people – it all comes back around and creates better working environments,“ Cryer said.

The funds were raised by branch members at the CCNZ Annual Manawatū Whanganui Golf Tournament last year.