Forget Formula One. Some of New Zealand’s most skilled drivers will be behind the wheel of a very different machine this November as they battle it out to be crowned the country’s best forklift operator.

The New Zealand Forklift Championships 2026 will take place at Logistics Automation New Zealand at Auckland Showgrounds on 10–11 November, putting the precision, skill and nerves of some of the country’s top forklift operators to the test.

Competitors will tackle timed precision courses, novelty obstacle challenges and practical skills tests designed to showcase just how much expertise is required to safely manoeuvre the machines that keep New Zealand’s warehouses, factories and supply chains moving.

And while there will undoubtedly be some fierce competition, this isn’t simply a race against the clock.  Drivers will be assessed on their ability to operate efficiently and safely, with precision, control and accuracy considered just as important as completing the course in a timely manner.

Organisers say the Championships are an opportunity to celebrate the often-overlooked skills of New Zealand’s materials handling operators and shine a spotlight on the professionalism and safety standards required in the industry.  There is also plenty at stake.

The winners of each category will earn an expenses-paid entry to compete at Australia’s national forklift championship, giving one Kiwi operator the chance to take their skills across the Tasman.  Individual operators can enter free of charge, while businesses can enter two-driver corporate teams for $500, with 100 percent of corporate entry fees donated to Movember in support of men’s health.

Entries close at 5pm on 3 October, giving competitors several weeks to sharpen their skills before the national showdown.