Finalists have ‘proven track record’

Rolleston technician Mark Haughton is a finalist for the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards. PHOTOS: JOHN DEERE

A Canterbury trio of heavy machinery technicians are about to travel to Brisbane as finalists for the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards.

The technicians are with Drummond & Etheridge at Rolleston. Mark Haughton is vying for the construction and forestry technician of the year award, Dylan Bruce for the service apprentice of the year and Paige Hunter for the parts apprentice of the year title.

Each category has another New Zealand finalist and as many as five Australian finalists competing for a combined Australian/New Zealand award.

Seven titles will be awarded across five categories with nine New Zealand technicians in contention.

Mr Haughton began his career through an automotive apprenticeship, before travelling to Western Australia to work in the mining industry.

He later returned home to New Zealand to work with the company and won the inaugural construction and forestry technician of the year award in 2021.

Mr Bruce was lucky during high school to have a neighbour notice his interest in machinery and fixing equipment.

The neighbour owned a forklift repair business and offered him a job after his final year at school and then encouraged him to apply for work experience with a local heavy diesel company to further his skills.

That led to an apprenticeship with John Deere’s Drummond & Etheridge dealership in Nelson before a transfer to the Rolleston branch, where he is completing his apprenticeship as a service technician.

Last year he made the finals of the technician awards.

Ms Hunter grew up on a dairy farm and stumbled on a role in the parts department at her local dealership. She is now a first-year apprentice working with lawnmowers, tractors and combine harvesters, as well as construction and forestry parts.

A neighbour steered Rolleston service technician Dylan Bruce in the direction of a heavy machinery career and he is now a finalist for the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards.

She finds time to play for her local rugby team and coaches an under-18 boys’ side.

The trip to Brisbane is for a second round of judging where they will be tested on their ability to perform hands-on tasks and troubleshoot technical issues.

Australia and New Zealand managing director Luke Chandler said more than 100 award nominations from 62 dealerships across New Zealand and Australia showed the depth of the talent.

He said technicians had mechanical knowledge, experience in digital technology and advanced problem-solving skills.

"Each finalist has a proven track record of helping farmers and businesses unlock greater productivity and sustainability achievements through technology, and they should be very proud of rising to the top of a very competitive field."

Individual country titles will be awarded for the agriculture and turf service technician of the year and parts technician of the year categories.

One award winner from either New Zealand or Australia will be announced for the service apprentice, parts apprentice and construction and forestry service technician titles.

The winners will be announced at an awards gala event on August 24.