Josh, who received a $500 voucher for a Connexis civil training programme, was praised by judges for his attention to detail during the challenge which involved excavating a swimming pool and completing an ‘Under the Wire Challenge’. The event is designed to test competitors’ knowledge as well as practical skills.

The Civil Contractors New Zealand CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition was held over 14-15 March 2025 at Feilding’s Manfeild Park, as part of Central District Field Days.

Twelve excavator operators competed in a series of challenges over the two-day competition with Northland’s Steven George taking top spot. Steven receives a $1000 voucher for a Connexis civil training programme.

John Rohloff of Fulton Hogan in Bay of Plenty was second, while last year’s runner-up Michael Brown, also of Fulton Hogan, took third place.

This year’s event marked the 31st anniversary of the excavator competition and for the first time featured three female regional champions: Georgia Lyford from Canterbury Westland, Lydia Hill from Nelson Marlborough and Tanya Claxton from Hawke’s Bay East Coast.

Competition challenges included the ‘Over the Wire Challenge’, where operators had to construct ramps of earth to navigate over a wire, and the ‘Connect Challenge’, a jumbo recreation of the classic Connect Four game.

Connexis Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger says Connexis was thrilled to support the excavator competitions and the One-Day Job Challenge.

“The excavator competition is a really effective and entertaining way to showcase the skills, knowledge and career opportunities within New Zealand’s civil workforce.

“The skills required to effectively operate an excavator can often be taken for granted so it’s incredible to see the deftness and precision among the competitors as they complete some fun and difficult challenges through the competition.

“Congratulations to Steven, Josh and all the competitors, as well as CCNZ for another brilliant, entertaining and educational event.”

Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard congratulated all the competitors for their dazzling skills, and Steven on his victory.

“Steven delivered a remarkable performance from start to finish, conquering a formidable course with some tricky new challenges thrown in the mix and a very strong line-up of opposition – it was a real masterclass in precision operating.”

Mr Pollard said the competitors represented the best of the civil construction industry, and their efforts in front of a throng of spectators at Central Districts Field Days helped inspire the next generation to take up the tools to meet the country’s infrastructure needs. 

“The skill on display highlighted why excavator operators are so critical to New Zealand’s development. These men and women do more than just operate machines – they’re skilled professionals whose expertise transforms ideas into the roads, water networks and other vital infrastructure that support the daily lives of Kiwi communities.”

See the full list of winners at www.civilcontractors.co.nz/news

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The country’s civil contracting company training trailblazers for 2024 have been recognised at the Connexis Civil Training and Development Awards.

The Connexis-sponsored awards, announced at the annual Civil Contracting NZ (CCNZ) conference held in Invercargill recently, recognised companies which prioritise the training and development of their people through internal training programmes and opportunities to take up nationally recognised qualifications.

The winners for 2024 are:

Category 1 (turnover up to $10M): Odlum Group, Morrinsville

Category 2 (turnover between $10M and $100M): InfraCore, Rotorua

Category 3 (turnover $100M+): HEB Construction, nationwide

Connexis Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger said the three winning companies were clear examples of organisations that prioritise industry training to help their people reach their full potential, grow the capability of their organisation and the wider civil infrastructure industry and in doing so building quality infrastructure that will benefit all New Zealanders. 

“We are thrilled to recognise these outstanding winners, and applaud the approach to training demonstrated among the other award finalists and nominees. Their commitment to workforce development through creating a culture of training not only strengthens their own companies but supports the sustainability of the wider infrastructure industry,” Gaukrodger says.

This is the second Connexis Civil Training and Development Award win in a row for HEB Construction in its category, honoured for its holistic approach to growing capability among its people, with an extensive training programme providing work, life and cultural skills.

InfraCore was recognised by the judges for its work with schools in order to develop future potential employees. With a comprehensive structured training programme featuring weekly study groups and mentors for every trainee, all InfraCore’s apprentices have completed a third of their apprenticeship requirements every year.

Odlum Group was also recognised by the judges in particular for its dedication to going beyond the normal to create a strong workplace culture and nurturing team development through internal training.

The awards were judged by CCNZ Vice-President David Howard, Connexis National Field Team Manager Fiona Malloch and Connexis General Manager Customer Engagement Andrew Harland.

“Companies that commit to ongoing training as an essential part of their business development plan are rewarded with a culture of quality work and continuous improvement,” Gaukrodger says. “They have a much better chance of retaining staff with years of skills and experience and they become the employers of choice for those looking to begin or develop careers in the sector.”

Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard saluted the award winners for their standout contributions to the industry. “These individuals and companies are flag bearers for the civil infrastructure industry, they deserve their chance to shine and we should all join in celebrating their efforts. By lifting their game, they help all of us lift ours.”

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Fulton Hogan Christchurch won the award for companies with a turnover of more than $100m thanks to its efforts in benchmarking its in-house training, cadetship programmes and professional pathways to the relevant New Zealand Certificates and qualifications – an industry first.

Christchurch’s Isaac Construction featured heavily again, winning the ‘Turnover $10 million – $100 million’ category in the Connexis Company Training and Development Awards for the third year running thanks to detailed ongoing professional development plans for all 300 staff working across the business and the employment of a full-time Training and Development Manager.

Construction Contracts Limited also continued to shine in the Company Training and Development Awards, winning the award for companies with an annual turnover up to $10m thanks to incorporating nationally recognised qualifications into staff professional development, training offices, and other purpose-built facilities to help staff learn and develop their skills. The Wellington-based company also won this category in 2016.

Connexis is the national Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation (ITO) and provides employers with tools to attract and train infrastructure staff. Chief Executive Toby Beaglehole said it was heartening to see employers demonstrating commitment to excellence in training and development.

“Connexis is incredibly proud to be the sponsor of the Company Training and Development awards. Connexis is all about people, and these awards recognise outstanding companies that go the extra mile to invest in their people.

“At a time when a skilled workforce is in high-demand, it is heartening to see companies both help our industry address the skills shortage and cultivate and grow their own talented staff”.

Construct Civil of Auckland featured as a runner-up in the $10m-$100m category, earning an honourable mention for establishing a culture in which all staff have ongoing professional development plans which include qualifications and staff are supported outside of the workplace.

Downer New Zealand was runner-up in the over $100m category for its innovative training approach, piloting many new training programmes throughout the year, while Manawatu’s Blackley Construction was runner-up in the up to $10m category for heavy investment in staff professional development, with more than 40 per cent of staff carrying out training under the national Civil Trades apprenticeship and career pathway programmes.

Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Silcock said efforts to support and develop staff within civil construction businesses were vitally important at a time when the civil construction industry was experiencing skills shortages.

“New Zealand needs to develop its future workforce to build quality infrastructure that connects our communities and provides vital services for our people. These companies have shown outstanding commitment to their staff. That deserves recognition.”

Connexis Company Training and Development Awards Winners 2019

Turnover of more than $100 million: Fulton Hogan Christchurch

Turnover of between $10 million and $100 million: Isaac Construction

Turnover up to $10 million: Construction Contracts Limited

Source: Civil Contractors New Zealand

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