New National Champion

New National Champion

New Zealand has its newest national champion...Tu'uga Tui, 27, from Wainuiamata today earned the title of “DEWALT King of the Drill”.

After thirty five regional competitions featuring more than 3,000 of our finest trades people, skilled professionals, handymen and women, Tu'uga prevailed in the national final with blistering time of 7.57 seconds.

The DEWALT Ford Challenge sees Kiwis with a 14.4V DEWALT drill compete to drive five screws into a piece of timber the fastest.

The final, held at John Andrew Ford in Auckland, saw five contestants from across the country go head to head in a series of sudden death eliminations. In the final Tu'uga just edged out Hokio Tarawhiti from Stokes Valley who had a time of 9.53 seconds.

Tu'uga described the win as a huge thrill.

“I’ve been competing in the DEWALT Ford Challenge for three years and I’ve finally done it. I couldn’t be happier,” said Tu'uga Tui.

“Now I just have to go one step further and beat the Aussies on their home turf.”

As the DEWALT King of the Drill Tu'uga took home an all new DEWALT 9-piece tool kit worth $2,800, and a weekend in Australia to see the Grand Finale of the V8 Supercars with a friend.

While across the ditch, Tu'uga will take on Australia’s fastest for the Trans-Tasman ‘DEWALT King of the Drill’ trophy at the Philip Island round of the International V8 Supercars in Victoria from 8–10 December later this year. The Trans-Tasman Champion will drive away with the title and a new Ford XR8 ute.

"The DEWALT Ford Challenge is a highlight for many trades people, DIYers and any red blooded kiwi for that matter”, says DEWALT Senior Brand Manager, Regan Whitehead.

“To be recognised within the industry as being the best is a huge reward and guarantees bragging rights for at least 12 months when we come back to do it all again.“

2006 FINALIST PROFESSION HOME TOWN BEST TIME
Tu'uga Tui Builder Wainuiamata 7.57s
Hokio Tarawhiti Builder Stokes Valley 9.53s
Pete Robinson Builder Torbay 9.89s
Roy Chalton Engineer Ponsonby, Auckland 11.85s
Daniel Locke Builder New Plymouth 16.75s

ENDS

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