Mosgiel resident Andrew Hollands, who operates Hollands Excavation with his wife Sarah and brother Carl, said his son Kaleb started operating diggers when he was about 5 years old.
The contest pitted 16 digger operators against each other and a panel of judges at the Otago Taieri A&P Show on Saturday, where they were scored in their ability at 14 tasks.
The win left him feeling like a "proud dad" and Kaleb himself was blown away by his podium finish.
Likewise, his brother Carl had also taken out the top spot for the region one time.
He passed on advice to his son for the upcoming national competition at Fieldays in March.
"Stay cool, relax — treat it like it’s a job you do every day and don’t get ahead of yourself."
Contestants brought much sharper skills than in previous years to the Saturday competition.
Troy Calteaux, of Andrew Haulage in Balclutha, would also be going to Fieldays to defend his national title.
Mr Hollands was pleased there would be two local members at the nationals.
"It’s quite a serious event ... There’s a lot at stake and a lot of prestige if you win it."
Civil Contractors New Zealand Otago branch chairman Scott Shaw said the contest was about testing the different abilities of civil construction operators.
It had been running for about 30 years.
"It’s not like you’re out there just with your two-man crew digging a trench," Mr Shaw said.
He was hoping Otago would come out on top of the national competition, where it had historically done really well.
"Represent Otago with pride — but most of all, have fun."
