The Cat Global Operator Challenge is hitting NZ for the first time at Wheels at Wanaka
The countdown is on for operators who entered to compete in the first-ever Cat Global Operator Challenge to be held in New Zealand, at the Wheels at Wanaka exhibition from 18 to 20 April 2025.
The Cat Global Operator Challenge is where the best of the best show off their skills — and one will take home the title of New Zealand Champion, with the chance to travel to Las Vegas in 2026 and be crowned World Champion.
Terra Cat say they have received many registrations of interest from around New Zealand, and after a process to find out more about each operator, 24 competitors are now set to compete.
During each portion of the Cat Global Operator Challenge, participants will test their skills against those of fellow machine operators. Each will execute a variety of tasks in Cat machines, such as digging a trench, loading a precise amount of dirt, and hauling or manoeuvring the equipment through a variety of obstacles.
Three challenges
Participants will compete in three challenges with three different Cat machines. The best scoring operators from the preliminary round, will then compete in a final to determine the winner.
Scoring is based on the operator’s skills, efficiency, as well as his or her competence in using integrated technology to enhance the machine’s performance.
All 24 operators will participate in Preliminary Heats throughout Friday at Wheels at Wanaka, with the best-scoring operators moving into the final, which will be held on Saturday, 19 April.
The winner of this final will be announced at the Wheels at Wanaka “Shakedown in the Shed” function onsite on Saturday evening.
The winning operator will take home the title of New Zealand Champion and will travel to Japan in October 2025, courtesy of Caterpillar, to compete in the Asia-Pacific finals. The top competitors there will then have the chance to travel to Las Vegas to compete at ConExpo in 2026 and be crowned World Champion.