20 March 2024:

If you like your ice cream scooped by a 13-tonne digger, there’s no one better to serve it than Fulton Hogan’s Michael Brown. In his first attempt at the Civil Contractors New Zealand CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition, Michael won the coveted ice cream scooping competition on his way to second place overall behind four-time winner Troy Calteaux from Otago.  The ice cream was then served up to delighted young spectators.

Based at the Tauhei Quarry, Michael won the Waikato regional competition and was one of 13 regional finalists competing for national awards over the weekend at Manfeild Park in Feilding. Michael has specialised in bulk earthworks and quarrying for more than 20 years.

He said he was proud of his achievements on the challenging course: “It’s a bit different to digging rock. I had a good day out there, and I’m really proud of myself,” he said.

Michael made a special thank you to his wife Megan and to his father for “giving me a love of machines.”

Civil Contractors NZ CEO Alan Pollard praised all 13 finalists: “All the competitors are champions not just for triumphing at the regionals, but also for the critical work they do day-to-day maintaining and developing New Zealand’s infrastructure.  I salute them all.”