60 | RURAL SERVICES » Dr Dig Lachie still passionate about industry Working primarily in hill country sheep and cattle farms, as well as some dairy farms, Lauchlan enjoys the job. Bernadette Cooney I’d rather sit in the digger, than go fishing,” says Lauchlan Stuart (Lachie) the affable owner- operator of Wairarapa excavation contracting business, Dr Dig. His comment is testament to his enjoyment of the earthworks and excavation craft he has honed over 30 years. Martinborough born and bred, Lachie now resides in Masterton with partner Jan, and provides his skilful Dr Dig excavation services to South Wairarapa farmers. “Providing essential services such as farm maintenance, creating and clearing tracks, building and maintaining dams, fence lines and cleaning up flood damage, race and drain clearing,” says Lachie, “whatever really, that needs doing.” Working primarily in hill country sheep and cattle farms, as well as some dairy farms, Lauchlan enjoys the isolation that comes with working in remote areas. His clients appreciate his reliability and skill, especially during tough conditions like after heavy rains or floods, when he uses specialised equipment such as cleated tracks to access difficult terrain. He values his connection with the farmers he works for and takes pride in maintaining the infrastructure that keep their operations running smoothly. “I enjoy getting out in the hills, and it’s pretty much 100% of the work I do now,” says Lachie.Lauchlan is a seasoned professional who has been involved in earthworks since he left school, starting on bulldozers for a local contractor. Then leaving for some time and working in UK coal mines and Australian mines , including the Tanami Gold Mine in the Northern Territory, which was the largest gold mine in Australia during the 1990s. There, Lauchlan operated large excavators and dump trucks as part of the fly-in, fly-out system, working one week on and one week off. Back in New Zealand, Lauchlan has worked on numerous civil and infrastructure projects. His portfolio includes foundational work for the Norwood dealership in Masterton, foundation excavation for Pike’s Plastic in Wairarapa, and Karaka Heights subdivision at Lees Pakaraka Road. He has also been involved in large roading projects, including work on the Whangamoa Saddle near Nelson and Taupo, Manganui and Earthquake Gully.Lauchlan runs his business entirely on his own, operating two 13-tonne Hitachi diggers to complete jobs efficiently. He handles everything from scheduling to operations, making him a highly capable and independent contractor. Health and safety are also paramount to Lauchlan. While he works alone, he is diligent about following health and safety protocols, ensuring that his job sites remain incident-free. His long-standing track record of safety is a testament to his professional approach and deep understanding of the work he undertakes. He has worked on challenging terrain in places like Kawakawa Station, where he has helped maintain access to remote huts along the Nikau Creek, and Pukeatua Station, where he is currently Experienced digger operators specialising in farm work. Services include tracks, dams, drainage, farmmaintenance, horsearenas&siteprep. WAZMECHANICAL Authorised Service Provider for Kobelco and Doherty Attachments Servicing the Wellington / Wairarapa Region Specialising in: Hydraulic component overhaul | Engine rebuilding Light Engineering | Machine maintenance and servicing Machine condition repairing | Callout services available wazmechanical.com 021 164 3594 waz.mech@hotmail.com working on improving farm infrastructure. Despite the variety of projects he takes on, his reputation for being reliable, adaptable, and skilled remains consistent. A versatile and experienced contractor with a deep connection to the South Wairarapa region, Dr Dig is your go-to for farm maintenance and earthworks backed by Lachie’s decades of knowledge, skill and professionalism.
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