Golden Loader Competition

Now accepting entries for 2026!

Details
Apply here for 2026
T&C's
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2025 Winners
1st Place – John Tuckey
2nd Place – Shaun Allen
3rd Place – Travis Young

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All Participants in 2025: (not in order)

  • Shaun Allen
  • Kelvin Bouskill
  • Ardin Tuki Boyce
  • Colin Bush
  • Maea Edmonds
  • Max Gibson
  • Russel Gibbins
  • Manu Jensen
  • Tracey Keefe
  • Jacob Keefe
  • James McFarlane
  • Ryan Mitchell
  • Daniel Purcell
  • John Tuckey
  • Aaron Tupene
  • Cade Vanderwiel
  • Hariata Wipaki
  • Travis Young
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Golden Loader Competition

Details

Central Districts Field Days 
Friday 20 - Saturday 21 March 2026
Manfeild, Feilding

Welcome to the Golden Loader Competition for 2026 to be held at Central Districts Field Days March 20-21 Manfeild, Feilding

This is a fun competition and open to participants that work currently in the forestry sector in machine operating positions. Entrants will compete in knock out rounds to find out…who is the best loader driver in the region!

Central Districts Field Day is a family 3 day agricultural event that attracts over 27,000 people each March for three days, to friendly Feilding in the Manawatu where they connect, discover and experience the future of New Zealand’s primary industries.

This is the fourth year the Golden Loader has kicked off for forestry entrants only, and Southern North Island Wood Council are proud to bring this competition to the lower North island.

Two Days… bring your family and friends and compete to find out ……

Who will be our GOLDEN LOADER winner for 2026?

Schedule and Timings

March 20th
11am - 4pm – Scheduled Heats
March 21th
9am - 1pm – Scheduled Heats, Semi Finals & Finals -
2pm – Prizegiving
 
Competitors must remain onsite until completion of competition.
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Competition Entry

Entries for 2026

Entry form for Golden Loader Competition 2026

Central Districts Field Days March 20-21 Manfeild, Feilding

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*
Are you happy for us to contact this person as a reference?*
Max. file size: 64 MB.
Can you attend the event on both March 20 & 21 in Feilding with your own transport?*
If you will be travelling to attend the event, Please note the preferred date of the first heat event (Mar 20 or 21) due to travel. This is not guaranteed. My preferred day:
Shirt size*

Terms and Conditions*
Please give your consent*
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Prizes

Prizes:

1st prize: $500 Hunting and Fishing Voucher

2nd prize: $250 Hunting and Fishing Voucher

3rd prize $100 Hunting and Fishing Voucher

Terms and Conditions

  1. Applicants must currently work for an employer in the forestry sector.
  2. Applicants must currently be employed in a log loader or excavator role with appropriate tickets and training.
  3. Applicants must attend their scheduled heat day event on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 March 2026 in Feilding and compete in all knock rounds to qualify for finals.
  4. ENTRY CLOSING DATE Friday 27 February, 5pm
  5. Loaders and trucks will be provided, but all care and consideration must be taken for the equipment and any unsuitable behavior will result in immediate disqualification on the day.
  6. High vis is provided but competitors must bring own boots and hard hats. Expiration dates will be checked.
  7. Competitors must give approval for all photos and television coverage of themselves for organizers on the day.
  8. Competitors must abide by the judges decisions on the day.
  9. All applicants must provide
      1. Record of Learning - Unit Standard 6932
      2. Photo and a brief personal Bio
      3. Shirt Size

    to sniwoodcouncil@gmail.com by entry closing date as part of the entry requirement.