Machine Operator – Cromwell, Central Otago, New Zealand

The bucket curls perfectly, the laser shows dead-level, the supervisor gives the thumbs-up, and another section of subdivision is bang-on spec—that is the everyday satisfaction of a Machine Operator with this established Central Otago civil company in Cromwell. Heights Recruitment is placing one top-tier, all-round operator at $38–$40 per hour (experience dependent) plus company ute, phone, fuel card, and regular pay reviews. The role posted fresh today—serious 5+ year operators will move fast.

Central Otago is booming: vineyards, lifestyle blocks, roading upgrades, and massive residential subdivisions everywhere from Cromwell to Wanaka and Alexandra. This family-owned crew is flat-out on drainage, service trenching, bulk earthworks, house cuts, road boxing, and final trim. As a Machine Operator in Cromwell, you will spend your days on 20–36T excavators (plus dozers, loaders, rollers, and graders when needed), reading plans, hitting levels, and finishing jobs that look magazine-perfect.

Requirements

They want a genuine gun on the lever.

You are the perfect fit with:

• Minimum 5 years of real civil & earthworks seat time.
• Master-level on 20–36T excavators—final trim, batter work, trenching to laser.
• Bonus points for dozer GPS/UTS, loader scale work, or grader experience.
• Class 2 licence minimum (Class 4/5 + WTR huge advantage).
• Confident reading civil plans, cut/fill calcs, and string lines.
• Rock-solid safety mindset—spotter use, exclusion zones, daily pre-starts.
• Client-facing—well-presented, good communication, proud of your work.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Cromwell (work across Central).

No tickets? No problem if you can prove the hours.

Responsibilities

Your week is big iron and big results.

Full-time hours + regular overtime/Saturday work:

• Bulk earthworks—push 5,000 m³ pads dead flat.
• Trenching services—water, power, telecoms to exact depth.
• Load out trucks, stockpile, screen topsoil.
• Final trim house sites to 10 mm tolerance.
• Drainage—pipe laying, manholes, box culverts.
• Road construction—sub-base, kerb prep, compaction testing.
• Rock breaking, benching, batter slopes.
• Daily machine checks & basic field maintenance.

Variety every week—never the same site twice.

Benefits

$38–$40 ph + serious Central Otago perks.

• $38–$40 per hour = $85K–$95K base, easily $110K+ with OT.
• Late-model machines – GPS/3D ready, A/C, comfy seats.
• Company ute – take-home dual-cab + fuel card.
• Phone + plan paid.
• Regular pay & performance reviews – top operators quickly hit $42–$45.
• Family crew – BBQs, no egos, everyone goes home safe.
• Central Otago lifestyle – lakes, mountains, wineries 10 min away.
• Permanent role – work lined up for years.

Earn big, live epic.

How to Apply

Fire your CV and start on Monday.

1. Email CV + quick note on your biggest machine & proudest job to duneding@heights.nz
2. Subject: “Cromwell Machine Operator – 5yrs+ Final Trim”
3. Or call/text Luke direct on 022 170 9129 for a confidential yarn
4. Apply ASAP—role posted 1 hour ago, they hire the first gun who rings.

Fast process—good operators start next week.

Run the Best Gear on Central’s Biggest Jobs

Grabbing Machine Operator in Cromwell means $38–$40/hr + ute + phone operating 20–36T iron on landmark Central Otago projects. 5+ yrs civil, final trim wizard, one spot. From first cut to final level, you own it. Call Luke today and dig Central success.

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