Pictured above: George Moore.
Steep inclines, unstable land, and remote sites – these are the challenges that have long plagued New Zealand’s excavation industry. Traditional machinery struggles with access, and project costs often spiral due to complex temporary works. However, one company is changing the game. Tough Terrain, founded by George Moore, is proving that no job is too difficult with the right equipment, expertise, and vision.
Tough Terrain works on projects that others deem impossible – from excavation to piling and other services. Here, George shares how a one-man operation with a single Menzi Muck spider excavator has grown into one of the world’s largest fleets of highly specialised machines. Expertise, quality and good financing was behind their scaling journey.
George was a land clearance contractor, owning and operating a Menzi Muck Machine. One key client suddenly ran into financial difficulties, stopping all projects. Left with a highly specialised machine but no jobs, George had to make a choice: Attempt to rebuild his land clearance business or find another way to make use of his equipment.
“I flipped a coin, really,” he recalls. “I put some adverts up on Facebook and decided that whatever advert produced work would be the one that I was going to continue doing.”
The response was immediate. A builder – who would later become a close friend – needed help with foundation work in West Auckland, a job that no other contractor could take on. That single project revealed a massive gap in the market: High-access excavation services using cutting-edge equipment.
As George began researching, he discovered that a few others were operating in this space, but the industry lacked consistency and accessibility. “There were two or three others in the country with similar machines, but they were hard to track down. And while they were great guys, their businesses weren’t built for scalability or reliability. I realised that if we wanted to be taken seriously by the biggest contractors, we needed to bring a new level of professionalism to this industry,” George explains.
He saw an opportunity to change the way excavation was done in New Zealand, ensuring high standards, well-trained operators, and machines that were always available when needed. And so, almost 3 years ago, Tough Terrain was born.
@tough_terrain_ltd
“I needed a system where our clients knew exactly what they were getting – top-tier health and safety compliance, highly trained operators, and machines that were available when emergencies or unexpected challenges arose,” he says.
With a fleet covering both the North and South Islands, Tough Terrain ensures that no job is out of reach.
Mastering the most challenging terrain
At the core of Tough Terrain’s success are its Menzi Muck spider excavators – machines specifically built for extreme terrain. But owning them is only part of the equation. Mastering them is what sets Tough Terrain apart.
These excavators are equipped with a built-in winch system, allowing them to anchor themselves on steep inclines for stability and precision. Their adjustable legs enable the cabin to remain level, even on extreme slopes, significantly improving safety and efficiency. Unlike traditional excavators, which often require expensive temporary works just to access a site, Menzi Mucks can operate with minimal setup costs, making them a faster and more cost-effective solution.
“Our machines can get to sites faster and cheaper than traditional methods,” George explains. “Where you might need tens of thousands of dollars in temporary works just to get access, we don’t need that kind of mission.”
One of the key factors that sets Tough Terrain apart is its commitment to training. Unlike competitors who rely on on-the-job learning, Tough Terrain has developed its own formal training system, ensuring that every operator meets the highest industry standards.
The company has designed 20 unique unit standards, each of which includes an exam and a video demonstration. Every machine is operated by a two-person team – an experienced operator and an apprentice. New operators spend a minimum of six months in an apprenticeship before qualifying to take on their own trainee.
“The best way to learn is hands-on, with an experienced operator guiding you through real-world challenges,” George explains. “We’ve structured our training so that every operator is highly skilled, and every project runs at the same high standard – no matter where in the country we’re working.”
Beyond training, health and safety is a major priority. Tough Terrain’s health and safety framework is designed to meet and exceed industry regulations, making the company a trusted partner for major infrastructure projects.
A commitment to fair pay and employee well-being
One of the most defining aspects of Tough Terrain’s business model is its commitment to paying employees a fair wage. George says that every employee earns enough to support their family on a single income.
“For me, it’s simple. People work to support their families, so if I can take away their financial stress, I get employees who are completely focused, engaged, and loyal. If someone is constantly worried about paying bills, they’re distracted. But if they know they’re being paid fairly, they can give 100 percent to the job.”
This approach has had a transformational effect on the business. Employee turnover is low, job satisfaction is high, and the team is deeply committed to Tough Terrain’s success.
“When you treat people well, they don’t want to leave. They turn up on time, they care about their work, and they have the company’s best interests at heart. It’s just good business.”
One of the most frustrating aspects of the construction industry is cost uncertainty. Many projects begin with a rough estimate, only for the final bill to skyrocket due to unforeseen costs.
Tough Terrain takes a different approach. When acting as the main contractor, the company offers fixed-price contracts, ensuring that clients aren’t hit with unexpected expenses.
“An estimate means you don’t actually know what your costs will be – that’s just lazy business,” George says. “We pride ourselves on giving clients a price they can rely on.”
George’s vision for Tough Terrain is to expand to 20 machines nationwide, ensuring that no project is out of reach. While growth takes time – each machine takes 12 to 18 months to arrive – his goal is clear: to make Tough Terrain the first choice for high-access excavation in New Zealand.
“We’re doing things differently. And when people see the results, they realise why our approach works.
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