Minister of Health and Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall is bracing himself to tackle a heavy lifting challenge.

On Saturday he is getting behind the controls of a 12 tonne excavator at the Te Puke A&P Show.

Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall is trying his hand at digger driving this Saturday at the Te Puke A&P Show.

Tony is expected to attempt some of the challenges the competitors in the New Zealand Contractors Federation excavator operator competition are contesting there on the day.

This is the Bay of Plenty regional competition with its winner heading to the national competition.

Judging in the Bay of Plenty competition commences at 9am and the winner is announced at the end of the day.

Last year's Bay of Plenty excavator of the year Hayden Hira is returning to defend his title this Saturday.

The winner's prize includes a travel package to the national finals being contested at the Central Districts Field Days in Fielding in March.

In competition, operators are required to demonstrate knowledge of regulations related to Occupational Safety and Health, first aid, Land Transport and industry hazards.

Having completed the safety and regulation part of the contest, the competitors are put through a variety of tasks, set to replicate the skills they are required to use in their normal working day and to extend them a bit more as well.

Tasks which have been set in the past include manoeuvring over a gas line, traversing a trench, lifting and relocating a manhole cover, chipping a golf ball closest to the pin, and slam dunking a basketball through a manhole-sized lid on top of a five metre high pipe.

All of these tasks are designed to promote safe work practises and increase the skills of excavator operators as well as being entertaining to watch.

Also attending will be Doug the Digger with his creator, Mr Mac.

Often seen visiting schools and promoting reading with his ‘Doug the Digger' book, Mr Mac will give children the opportunity to operate Doug, his mini-digger, in return for a gold coin donation.

Entry to the excavator competition is covered by the admission charge to the A&P Show.