A Marton man will be defending local pride in a bid to find New Zealand's best multi-skilled excavator operator.
Neil Tau, representing Manawatū, is one of 12 regional champions from around New Zealand who will test their excavator skills in a series of highly challenging tasks at the CCNZ CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition.
The event is on Friday and Saturday, March 19-20, during the Central Districts Field Days at Manfeild Park, Feilding.
The tasks range from tests of "real-world" skills such as traversing a trench or lifting and relocating a manhole cover, to tests of precision like popping a champagne bottle using an excavator's bucket.
Tau, who works for Rangitikei Development, qualified for the national final by winning the Manawatū regional competition in Palmerston North in March last year.