Taranaki’s Matthew Hareb wins top excavator operator title

Media Release – for immediate release

21 March 2011

Taranaki’s Matthew Hareb wins New Zealand’s top excavator operator title at first attempt

Matthew Hareb from New Plymouth is officially the country’s top digger operator after clinching first place in the National Excavator Operator Competition 2011.
Matthew also became only the second person in the competition’s 17 year history to win the national title at his first attempt.

He defeated 12 other regional champions, including a number of seasoned national finalists, to be named New Zealand’s number one multi-skilled operator at the event at the Field Days in Feilding, Manawatu.

“I was really surprised to win,” said Matthew from Merrilands, who runs his own business, M Hareb Excavating Ltd.

“It was very high pressured and quite stressful but there was also a fantastic atmosphere among all the competitors. We all went out to celebrate afterwards and it was certainly a big night.”

Runner up was Andrew Hollands, of Hollands Excavation of Mosgiel, Otago, and third place went to 2008 national champion Brian Hoffman, from Auckland, owner of Oratia-based earthmoving company Brian Hoffmann Ltd.

The Humes Award for the most helpful and considerate contestant was won by Northland champion Michael Smith from Te Hana, Wellsford

The competition, organised by the New Zealand Contractors’ Federation, is renowned for its rigorous challenges and surprise elements.

Contestants faced a wide range of challenges to test their operating skills. These ranged from planning and completing a construction job to carrying out many other tasks using 12-tonne Hitachi machines, provided by major sponsor Cable Price.

They were also put through their paces on land transport regulations by members of the NZ Police Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit (CVIU).
The Federation’s Executive Officer Malcolm Abernethy said:” It is an extremely competitive and high pressure event and Matthew proved himself to be a very steady competitor through every leg of the competition, doing a good job at everything.

“I would like to thank our sponsors for making it possible for us to stage an event which highlights the exceptional abilities of New Zealand’s skilled excavator operators and provides fantastic entertainment for the thousands of spectators who come to watch over the two days of the competition.”

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