Steve McHaffie wins Canterbury Westland excavator title

Steve McHaffie has won the Canterbury Westland excavator operator title, with the Thompson Engineering 2002 drainlayer beating 15 other experienced operators in the regional competition.

Held at Road Metals Quarry in Rolleston, the contest put operators through a series of practical and novelty challenges designed to test control, precision and safety knowledge. Tasks included excavator golf, pouring liquid from a teapot attached to a bucket into a cup, placing an egg on sand without breaking it, and completing a 360-degree turn while balanced on two logs.

Judges also assessed competitors on routine site skills, including health and safety, a standard pre-start test, and a truck-loading challenge. The regional field included experienced operators and a novice class for entrants with less than five years in the industry.

McHaffie said the result followed two earlier attempts in which he had not finished in the top three.

"The first and second time it was for fun, and this time I sort of put my best foot forward. I feel like everyone should just give it a go. You don't know until the day, really. Just enjoy it - it's a good day out," said Steve McHaffie, Drainlayer at Thompson Engineering 2002.

The win gives him the Canterbury Westland berth in the national excavator operator final, where regional winners from around New Zealand compete for the overall title. He plans to seek advice from colleague Sam Burleigh, who won the same regional contest last year.

"I'm excited right now but definitely know I'm going to be nervous coming closer to the time," McHaffie said.

Jarrod Cook of Henry Adams Contracting finished second in the experienced competition, while Ethan Roberts, also of Henry Adams Contracting, placed third, capping a strong showing for the company in the senior field.

Novice field

The novice category was won by Casey Flett of Greg Donaldson Contracting. Flett stood out in the truck-loading challenge with what organisers described as a near-perfect score.

Kieran Davie of Roughan Holdings also received a special mention after recording full marks on the health and safety quiz. The event drew 24 entries across the experienced and novice divisions.

Matt Austin, a member of the Canterbury Westland competition sub-committee, said the size and spread of the field reflected the region's depth of talent.

"We had a great turnout from West Coast operators, as well as operators from all around the Canterbury region, which was fantastic to see again this year," said Matt Austin, Canterbury Westland Competition Sub-Committee Member at Civil Contractors New Zealand.

The event was staged as part of a wider excavator skills competition run under the Civil Contractors New Zealand banner, with support from industry sponsors. Alongside the formal contest, organisers ran a mini-dig experience for children, giving younger attendees a chance to try operating equipment in a supervised setting.

Regional excavator competitions have become a fixture for contractors and operators, combining technical tests with public-facing challenges that make machine-handling skills visible to a broader audience. While some tasks are designed for spectacle, judging still centres on precision, machine control and safety awareness that mirror day-to-day work on civil sites.

Austin said McHaffie had earned the chance to represent the region against the country's other top operators.

"I've no doubt Steve will do Canterbury Westland proud at the national finals," Austin said.