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NZ Contractor magazine launched a page in 2016. The print edition of the mag dates back to 1976. We celebrate 50 years in business in 2026.
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NZ Contractor magazine is a monthly magazine published principally as a membership benefit for six industry association groups including Civil Contractors NZ, Aggregate & Quarry, Crane Association of NZ, Heavy Haulage NZ and Ready Mixed Concrete Association. The magazine is available in select retail channels and Koru lounges.

07/09/2026

It's our 50th birthday in October.
As part of the celebrations we asked Richard Campbell our machinery expert- the man who has been writing for Contractor for 26 years- to name his top 10 machines. Here they are.

Number seven – the Wooldridge TCS scraper
While none of these machines were ever imported into New Zealand, I saw a restored example at work in the USA some years ago. It was really ugly, but, had a charm all of its own. Even more dangerous to operate than the lever-steered LeTourneau C Tournapull, the Wooldridge TCS (and later model TCY) were steered by a length of roller chain around the scraper kingpin. You can only imagine what happened if the chain gave way at speed. Even so, there is something about them……

Caption: The Wooldridge TCS had a face only a mother could love, and therein lies its appeal! With its front panelling removed, this photo clearly shows the unique roller chain steering system (just in front and below of the operator’s feet). Mack Wooldridge was a contemporary of R.G. LeTourneau and designed and built a lot of motor scrapers before selling his company to Curtiss-Wright. But his designs were not widely popular. The Wooldridge TCS held 18 cubic yards and was normally powered by a Cummins diesel engine. Revving this monstrosity with a cable must have been a nightmare.

07/09/2026

Deep dive into our archives- this time a profile of LaPlant-Choate from 2013 - a 'forgotten company'

Caption: LaPlant-Choate made a fairly extensive range of tractor equipment.
This shot shows a Caterpillar D8 with one of LaP-C’s towed rippers.
The tractor is also fitted with a LaPlant-Choate blade frame, distinguished by its curved arch, a noticeable spotting feature of LaPlant-Choate equipment.

06/09/2026

It's our 50th birthday in October.
As part of the celebrations we asked Richard Campbell our machinery expert- the man who has been writing for Contractor for 26 years- to name his top 10 machines. Here they are.

Number six – the Euclid TS-14 scraper
Since it first made an appearance in 1960, the Euclid (later Terex) TS-14 has been a stalwart of New Zealand earthmoving. Over 200 of its various versions have been sold here and it has been used from North Cape to the Bluff. Despite their rather rough riding characteristics (compared to a Caterpillar 627), they have been a favourite of fleet users and owner operators alike, making the machine a natural for my top 10. (It was a toss-up between the TS-14 and TS-24).

Caption: Responsible for reshaping vast tracts of New Zealand’s landscape, the Euclid (later Terex) TS-14 was, during the 60s and 70s, the backbone of many contractors’ and owner-operators’ bulk earthmoving fleets. This example, owned by Oldfield Earthworks of Masterton is a model 7UOT. The somewhat rough-riding TS-14 evolved over the years into several different versions, but it’s the oldies that really get my attention. Another great machine.

06/09/2026

Deep dive into our archives- this time a profile of LaPlant-Choate from 2013 - a 'forgotten company'.

Caption: Climbing a stockpile at a sand & gravel plant, this Caterpillar RD-8 is fitted with a LaPlant-Choate model B-8 bulldozer. The mounting method is one favoured by LaPlant-Choate and used widely on both angledozers and bulldozers.

06/09/2026

AwardsContractorFeatureNorthland wins again by Contractor MagMarch 25, 2026March 31, 2026 Share1 Image: NEOC 2026 Winner Steven George (centre) with runner-up Marcus Ingram (right) and third place finisher Ryan Prankerd (left). Whangarei’s Steven George made his second straight victory at the CCNZ...

05/09/2026

From the archives- our February 2013 classic machine profile- of the International-Harvester TD-25 tractor

Caption: The author’s last tractor & scoop before he went on to motor scrapers.
This is a TD25C belonging to Taylor & Culley and it is towing a Caterpillar 463G cable scraper.
I took this shot at Mangaweka, 1975, just before I put the tarp on her for the night and dug out the tracks. She was a very reliable tractor and never fitted with a blade.

04/09/2026

It's our 50th birthday in October.
As part of the celebrations we asked Richard Campbell our machinery expert- the man who has been writing for Contractor for 26 years- to name his top 10 machines. Here they are.

Number five – the Allis-Chalmers HD-5 track type tractor
At home on an earthmoving site, in the forest, or pulling a plow on a farm, this unassuming little tractor went about its business with little fuss, day in and day out. Over 29,000 were manufactured, an indication of its popularity. Its successor, the model HD-6, continued the tradition. Second hand examples are still sought by collectors and restorers and can fetch high prices.

Caption: Don’t be fooled by the cute looks of this little tractor. It was a baby powerhouse and at home on the job, in the woods or helping on the farm pulling a plow. Powered by a two-cylinder GM 2-71 diesel, examples are sought today as collector’s items, as is this example. The HD-5 also spawned the later model HD-6 with a slightly higher horsepower engine built by Allis-Chalmers, which also garnered a similar reputation.

04/09/2026

From the archives- our February 2013 classic machine profile- of the International-Harvester TD-25 tractor

Caption: Working in what is now part of the industrial park area of Panmure, Auckland, this TD25C is all decked out in Dresser livery and towing a Caterpillar No. 80 cable scraper.
This machine is thought to belong to Rex Wilkinson and was shot in 1985.

03/09/2026

It's our 50th birthday in October.
As part of the celebrations we asked Richard Campbell our machinery expert- the man who has been writing for Contractor for 26 years- to name his top 10 machines. Here they are.

Number four – the LeTourneau Model C Tournapull scraper

No list of favourite machines should exclude this one, the foundation of the modern motor scraper. Introduced just before World War II, the model C Tournapull was manufactured in the thousands and used worldwide by the United States armed forces during the war.
Subsequently, large numbers of war surplus machines made their way into private ownership following the conflict, sold through Government Stores Board auctions, helping many budding contractors get a head start in the industry.
It unfortunately garnered a bit of a reputation as a “widow maker” due to its touchy lever steering, but that should never diminish its importance as a great earthmover.

Caption: A 1940s-era LeTourneau model Super C Tournapull with model LP cable scraper. This restored example is seen here in the USA at a machine show. About as basic as a motor scraper can get, nonetheless, the model C was the world’s first true mass-produced motor scraper and sold in large quantities. A great number were used in the Allies’ Pacific island-hopping campaigns during WWII for rapidly constructing airfields. These machines were sold off following the conflict and helped many a contractor get into the earthmoving business. They could be dangerous to operate.

03/09/2026

From the archives- our February 2013 classic machine profile- of the International-Harvester TD-25 tractor

Caption: An early TD25C working in some pretty harsh conditions in Washington State, 1977. The machine has an unusual ripper fitted, an Ateco narrow gauge “Vyba” type designed to maximise the tooth’s ripping potential in hard rock, a task it is obviously performing as advertised.

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