Dean Cave wins the CCNZ Manawatū–Whanganui Regional Excavator Operator Competition
Marton-based Dean Cave, a member of the McIntyre Construction team, took first place at the Civil Contractors New Zealand CablePrice Manawatū–Whanganui Regional Excavator Operator Competition. The event featured 10 competitors from across the region.
Dean says the win was particularly satisfying after he failed to place when he first entered the competition about 10 years ago.
Since then, both the machinery and the challenges have changed. He noted that newer equipment and technology featured on the course this year, and windy, rainy conditions made some tasks more difficult.
One of the competition’s more demanding challenges involved using an excavator bucket to pour water into another container without spilling it. Competitors were also required to manoeuvre machines through a slalom of road cones, travel across logs, paint a picture and place a basketball into a hoop using a Hitachi excavator. Operators also completed a health and safety knowledge test and carried out excavator pre-start checks.
Daniel Watt of ARC Asbestos Removal and Demolition finished second, while Central Demolition’s Neil Tau placed third. Brownell Earthmoving won the inter-company trophy for the highest combined team score.
During the event, organisers also presented a $14,000 donation to MATES in Construction. The funds were raised at the Manawatū–Whanganui Civil Contractors New Zealand annual golf tournament in August and will support the organisation’s work in construction industry mental health.