Twelve candidates vied for the title before a crowd of about 200 people in Cromwell on Saturday night, and the organiser - the Cromwell Lake Dunstan Lions Club- was thrilled at the response.
Proceeds from the evening were still being tallied yesterday but are expected to be more than $4000 and will be given to the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust.
Mr Buxton, a pipe layer of Bannockburn, aged "over 60", said age and experience were the key to his win.
As a volunteer for St John, he was delighted the evening was a fundraiser for the rescue helicopter service.
"I have to say, working on the ambulance, it's a big relief when you know the guys from the rescue helicopter are on their way."
The competition was first held two years ago.
Judges Glen Christiansen, Lyn Manson and Helen Hucklebridge said the contestants were judged on their skill, aptitude, the results of their tasks and their spontaneity, along with their entertainment value.
The men's tasks included a classical dance number, an "air guitar" contest, folding and pinning a cloth nappy on a balloon, beating cream and filling brandy snaps, and completing a still-life painting.
Their artistic efforts were later auctioned and added $3000 to the night's tally.
Mr Buxton's St John colleagues said they already knew he was a top guy.
"He's on duty on Thursday nights and all those people who have been on duty with him already know he's a top guy. He's just so reliable," Vincent St John area chairwoman and fellow volunteer Susan Dickie said.
Wife Edith said he had been her top guy for 34 years.
"We've got five kids and had four under 3 and a-half at one stage, so I knew he'd manage fine with the nappy task. He certainly had lots of practice on folding nappies," she said.
Martin Hupton was second and Peter Edwards third.
