Doug and Mr. Mac have been busy visiting schools, participating in charity events, making presentations at conventions and continuing to spread the message of health, safety, education and having fun. We've collected newspaper and magazine articles about some of those events for you to read below:
Importance of Books - Hamilton Press, 23 September 2015
Alistair McIntyre, role model for Duffy Books in Homes, visited two Hamilton schools last week. Tuesday saw McIntyre, the face of children's book character Doug the Digger, take assemblies at Insoll Ave School and St Pius X Melville. Duffy Books in Homes provides free books to over 100,000 New Zealand children, three times a year. Schools are selected from areas where the children are most likely to come from bookless homes.
Doug the Digger at Cambridge East - Your Cambridge News, 19 June 2015
Cambride East School enjoyed a visit from the Doug the Digger Roadshow on Monday June 8th, where students enjoyed an entertaining and engaging presentation from Alistair McIntyre, author of the "Doug the Digger" books, who spoke to the children about the importance of trying their best and accepting every opportunity that comes to them, to try hard and to not give up if things don't go right the first time.
The children enjoyed listening to a story book about Alistair McIntyre, who works with his friends and overcomes problems on a building site. then the children
got to climb in the cab of the Big Mac Truck and some even got to try driving a digger.
Digger Serves Up Life Lessons - Northern Advocate, 27 May 2015
He's commonly known as Mr Mac or Doug the Digger and he has recently been nominated in the Pride of New Zealand Awards.
Alistair McIntyre can be found reading to children in schools across New Zealand, giving them rides in his digger named Kerri Ann, volunteering his time to help Special Olympics Whangarei and giving high school students a taste of the trucking industry. It is these things that have seen him nominated for the Community Spirit Award in the Pride of NZ Awards.
Northern Careers Day - Deals on Wheels, April 2015
The Youth Into Industry careers day was held at the recent Northland Field Days in Dargaville.
"The day was a collaborative effort between Alistair McIntyre, the event organiser, representatives from industry, service providers, schools, and past students
The day would not have been possible withou the Kaipra Vintage Machinery Club, whose members were kind enough to allow us use of their space on site and also provided volunteers on the day, the support of the Northland Field Days and members of the Civil Contractors Northland branch," says McIntyre...
Northland Field Days - Farm Trader, March 2015
A select group of Northland secondary school students will be able to get hands-on experience of the infrastructure, quarrying, forestry and agriculture industries at the Northland Field Days this year according to Youth Into Industry representatives.
Thirty-two high school students from the Kaipara, Whangarei, Lower Far North and Rodney districts will learn the ins and outs of operating diggers, trucks and construction equipment as part of a drive to increase the awareness of the professional career paths offered within these industries...
Doug the Digger - Northland Field Days, February 2015
Once again we will be welcoming doug the Digger to the Northland field Days this year.
Alistair McIntyre AKA Mr Mac, is based in Whangarei but travels all around the country in his bright blue Kenworth Truck, 'Kerry Ann' instilling in students the importance of reading and writing. No matter what age, if you can listen then there is a place for you, learning how to mount and dismount and operate the Gough CAT mini excavator in a safe work place environment...
The Go Between - Investing in Youth - Contractor, 18 February 2015
Alan Titchall talks to Alistair McIntyre about his latest industry recruiting programme, Youth Into Industry.
It is late afternoon on New Year’s Eve at Russell in Northland and I have been sent on a mission to buy a bottle of bubbles to wash down a late afternoon treat – two dozen local oysters in the half shell. Russell in holiday mode is a blaze of pohutakawas, suncream,
icecreams, shorts and jandals, so I can’t believe it when, out of the corner
of my eye, I spot a queue of mums and kids in the Duke of Marlborough
carpark that leads to a mini-exacavtor operated by a familiar sight on
industry event days...
Hawke's Bay Excavator Competition - Hawke's Bay Today, 30 October 2014
The competition is aimed helping drivers improve, as well as promoting safety and showing the public the profesisonalism of the industry.
The goal is to won the right to represent Hawke's Bay against 13 other regions at the national Excavator Operator. The top three competitors are announced at the Contractor's Federation Annial Award dinner in November. Competition finals will be held at the Central Districts annual field days at Manfeild Park, Feilding 12 - 14 March 2015.
A&P Success: No 151 - Hastings Mail, 29 October 2014
" 'That's the weather for you,' A&P Show event manager Anna Hamilton said on Sunday, as she estimated that visitors over the three days would surpass 20,000 but fall well short of the hoped for 30,000.
She was very pleased that at least the first two days were fine and 'very busy'.
For those two days the crowd streamed through the gate to watch 20 different competitions, from showjumping and dressage, to fencing, fleece judging and dog trials.
Doug the Digger - national role model, and a local hero! - Northern Advocate, September 2014
"Emma Jelsma talks to Northland hero Alistair McIntyre about how an accident changed the
path of his life ...
It’S 1986, and 25-year old Alistair McIntyre, an early school-leaver (and self-confessed non-academic), has succeeded in building a thriving local contracting business with a number of employees. His future looked set – build up the business, get married, have kids, retire comfortably... The problem with the future, however, is that it never quite works out the way you expect.
For Alistair, the roadmap of his life took such a massive detour that he had to completely re-evaluate his goals – as one morning, in 1986, while going about his business, a single moment left lasting scars that would forever change his life." See the full article (470 KB PDF) »
The Full Package - Deals on Wheels, July 2014
"As you walk around the site today, keep your hands out of your pockets, and when you meet people, look them directly in the eye - be proud of who you are and greet them with a firm handshake."
Such was the advice given to a group of eager students by Alistair McIntyre (AKA Doug the Digger) during a worksite induction at the Infrstructure and Transport Educational Day at MOTAT in Auckland in May.
Thrity-one students from six Auckland high schools had put their hands up to gain some hands on experience in the construction, civil engineering, and trucking sectors and had come along to a Doug the Digger workplace experience workshop to find out how it really feels to be a member of the New Zealand workforce
... see the full article (1.5 MB PDF) »
Digging in for Career Inspiration - Weekend Herald, 23 May 2014
Logan Greasley plans to enter the mining industry as soon as possible and make all the money he can, driving the biggest rigs he can get his hands on.
The 17-year-old Rangitoto College student's ambitions moved closer to reality at a careers day held at Motat on Wednesday. And it was a careers day with a difference.
Greasley and about 30 other students were hand-picked to attend from Massey High School, Tangaroa, Rangitoto and Orewa colleges and Onewhero Area School... see the full article »
Introducing Youth to the Quarrying Industry - Aggregate News, March 2014
A major concern for the quarrying industry is its ageing workforce. And a major concern for the country is youth dropping out of school… One man has come up with a solution for both problems…
Alistair McIntyre has brought together a group of local industry operators and experts to create a foundation course for high school students interested in pursuing a career in civil contracting and infrastructure. His enthusiasm and passion for the industry has proved to be an inspiration for schools, students and industry representatives.
see the full article »
Hands-on Career Day - Deals on Wheels, April 2014
Deals on Wheels featured an article on our Careers Day held at MOTAT in 2013. This was a great opportunity for students to make informed decisions on a career in the infrastructure or transport industry. We will be holding another similar event 21 May 2014.
see the full article »
Ngatea Playcentre and Kindergarten Meet Doug the Digger - Plains Profile, October 2013
Have you ever found yourself wondering what it would be like to control a digger?...
see the full article »
Delightful Digger Day - Hauraki Herald, September 2013
Caitlyn Hill at Ngatea Kindergarten gets a lesson on a mini-excavator from Doug the Digger creator Alistair McIntyre...
see the full article »
Digger day a delight - Whangarei Report, 15 August 2013
Tikipunga Kindergarten had a visit from Mr Mac and Doug the Digger. Janine Worthington captured the action...
see the full article »
Industrial Strength - Youth - Deals on Wheels, June 2013
The name is pretty clear: Youth into Industry - nice, simple and easy to understand. Much like what Alistair McIntyre is about. Their latest instalment saw six students from Whangarei high schools progressing to, initially, a six-week work placement programme in a joint venture with Hirepool. This was aimed at providing them with skills and knowledge gained from experiences to take forward to prospective employers.
As McIntyre says, "In days gone by we all learnt about the industry by riding around with our dads and watching what was happening on job sites. As you got older and showed some aptitude, someone would put you on a machine and instruct you on how to use it. You knew what not to do, as you had spent all that time observing what was happening."...
More Deals on Wheels pages from Fieldays 2013
Doug the Digger showing the way to positive career paths - Northern Advocate, June 2013
By promoting the infrastructure and road transport industries as professional career paths, Alistair shows a clear pathway for students of all ages to 'do their best' in whatever they aspire to. He motivates and encourages up and coming students with the value and importance of positive attitudes, attending school, and numeracy and literacy.
see the full article »
Achievable Outcomes - Northern Advocate, 25 June 2013
"After all the huge efforts working with the industry, schools, students and supporters, it's certainly rewarding seeing our Youth Into Industry Programme Students progressing through from one day per week workplacement to the opportunity's of possible full time employment", says Alistair McIntyre founder of Youth into Industry Programme.
'Currently two students, Ngaro Baker and Reece Bermingham from last year's course have progressed to further their careers within the industry with positions at Transfield Services and Fulton Hogan".
see the full article »
Students keen to be top dogs - Northern Advocate, 22 June 2013
High school students are getting first-hand experience at careers in civil contracting and infrastructure they may want to pursue through a Whangarei training initiative.
The project sees training organisation Youth into Industry team up with infrastructure businesses who host Whangarei Boys' High and Kamo High School students.
Doug digs education - Hamilton News, 22 June 2013
Kids not only got to operate 'Doug the Digger' at Fieldays this year but also learned the importance of reading and writing. Alistair McIntyre has been at Fieldays for seven years teaching kids how to operate a digger and about learning, listening and looking.
"Kids come here thinking they are getting a ride on a digger but it's more educational than they think," McIntyre said. "It's also about reading and writing."
Kids have the opportunity to jump on the mini digger and have turn digging a hole or try lifting a stick at Fieldays.
see the full article »
Digger Digs Doug - Fieldays Exhibitor, 13 June 2013
Kids are being encouraged to learn reading and writing by driving a digger. Leighton Barnett, 3, was all smiles as he operated the mini digger – with help from a Tai Poutini digger school student.
Kids have the opportunity to jump on the mini digger and have turn digging a hole or try lifting a stick at Fieldays.
see the full article »
Digging Up free books -Hamilton Press - www.hamiltonpress.co.nz, 1 May 2013
Doug the Digger author Alistair Mclntyre and Primary School students including. from left: Lachey Edmonds, 10, Kimiora Haika, 10, Jada Edmonds, 10
see the full article »
Getting kids to dig reading Whakatane Beacon, 12 April 2013
Hine Te Amiorangl Pryor and her mates at Te Kura o Te Teko had fun with Doug the Digger last week.
see the full article »
Ashbrook kids treated to tales by Doug the Digger -Opotiki News, 9 April 2013
Ashbrook Primary School children were treated to tales of diggers on Thursday afternoon.
see the full article »
Children enjoy active weekend - Rotorua Daily Post CAREFUL : Ronan Wotten, 10, is watched closely by Alistair Mclntyre while having a go on a small digger at Rigs and Rides.
see the full article »
Author digs away on learning skills - The Wairoa Star, 11 April 2013
The visiting author of Doug the Digger quickly became a hit with his audience of little diggers at Wairoa Primary School on Tuesday morning.
After sharing his life story, Whangarei writer and former contractor Alistair Mclntyre went through the process of how Doug the Digger was published...see the full article »
Mr Mac Makes Mark On Minds - Your Cambridge News, 15 February 2013
Doug the Digger author and learning advocate Alistair McIntyre a.k.a. Mr Mac, made a special follow up visit to Room 2 at Leamington Primary School earlier this month after he me student Alex Sheehan at the Hydroplanes, where Alex had a turn operating a digger and impressed Mr Mac...see the full article »
Harvest Festival a Hit - Dargaville News & Districts, 16 January 2013
An impressive display of old versus new had onlookers in awe of how much things have changed in the farming industry. Those who showed up to the Kaipara Vintage Machinery Club's first Harvest Festival at Harding Park experienced what it was like for farmers and their families 30 to 50 years ago...see the full article »
Tiaho Trust disability day a success - Whangarei Report, 20 December 2012
A recent disability day hosted by the Taiho Trust at the Town Basin had an unprecedented number of people with disabilities visit and join in...see the full article »
Mr Mac hits the road with wisdom - Wairarapa Times-Age, October 2012
Alistair McIntyre a.k.a. Mr Mac was at Greytown School this week to teach the children about the importance of reading and writing - and to let them have a turn on a digger...see the full article »
Mobile Classrooms - Tukutuku KĹŤrero, Ministry of Education, December 2012
Then there's Doug the Digger. Owner Alistair McIntyre (known affectionately to learners as 'Mr Mac') began the service more than 10 years ago, in part due to a workplace injury...see the full article »
Keen for Heavy Work Load - Hawke's Bay Today, November 14, 2012
For most kids, knowing what they might want to do for a job usually starts to emerge in the early teenage years.
For 15-year-old Tony Hill of Bay View it came a little earlier than that - like when he was two...see the full article »
Young Truckie Keen to Learn the Ropes - Southland Times, October 10, 2012
A young machinery enthusiast from James Hargest College is the youngest pupil in the country to join the Youth Into Industry programme...see the full article »
Boys to Employable Men - Northern Advocate, September, 2012
Whangarei is the home of New Zealand's only Youth Into Industry programme, which encourages local teens to take a closer look at the civil construction and infrastructure industries...click here to see the full article (2.6 MB PDF) »
Doug the Digger Man - NZ Lifestyle Farmer, August, 2012
His name is Alistair McIntyre, but to thousands of youngsters throughout New Zealand, he is simply referred to as Doug the Digger Man or Mr. Mac. He spends six months of the year travelling [the country] in his massice custom-built truck rig, visting schools and groups with his CAT digger, inspiring and motivating children of all ages...click here to see the full article (2.3 MB PDF) »
Mr. Mac Sets Kids Up for Book-loving Lives - Hutt News, April 24, 2012
Children's author Alistair McIntyre roared around Lower Hutt primary schools last month bringing with him books for pupils and an important educational message...click here to see the full article »
"Stepping up " - Winstone's Conveyor, Issue 100, July, 2012
In 2011 Winstone Aggregates Otaika Quarry in Whangarei took part in a new local initiative to encourage more young people to pursue a career in Civil Industry and Infrastructure....click here to see the full article (PDF, 384 KB) »
"Students Sign Up to See if a Career in Infrastructure is in their Future" - Northern Advocate, June 26, 2012 Youth Into Industry 2012 started off last month withan intensive induction week at the end of May. Seven students from Whangarei Boys, Tikipunga and Kamo High Schools, signed up for the programme to see if a career in infrastructure isin their future...click here to see the full article »
"Youth Into Industry" - Deals on Wheels, June 2012
Doug the Digger creator Alistair McIntyre is getting Whangarei teens interested in infrastructure with his new Youth Into Industry programme...click here to see the full article »
"Kids Learn with Doug the Digger" - Fieldays Exhibitor, June 14, 2012
Mr. Mac is a regular exhibitor and participant at Fieldays events around the country. This article profiles both his Doug the Digger activities as well as the Youth into Industry programme - a 30 week course that introduces high school students to the infrastructure industry...click here to see the full article »
"Digging Up Training Success" - Whangarei Report, November 10, 2011
Local teenager Elemoni Moana couldn't stop grinning as he accepted his Youth Into Industry award from Whangarei Mayor Morris Cutforth. The 18-year-old Whangarei Boys High School student and peers Aidan Geard and Cameron Shayler received their Level 1 Basic Traffic Controller certificates at last week's Youth Into Industry awards...click here to see the full article »
"Mr. Mac Writes his Dream" - Cook Islands News, August 18, 2011
Mr. Mac visited the Cook Islands in August and got straight to work visiting schools all over the islands...click here to see the full article (420 KB PDF) »
"Digging Up a Role Model With an Impressive Record"- Whangarei Report, September 29, 2011
Mr. Mac reaches the huge milestone of 500 Duffy's Books visits at Totara Grove School in Kamo...click here to see the full article (424 KB PDF) »
Youth Into Industry - "Learn 2 Earn"
Mr. Mac talks to the advocate about the Youth Into Industry programme which aims to help teens make wise choices now to keep their options and earning potential open and highlights the positive results seen by of some the early participants...click here to see the full article (3.8 MB PDF) »
Youth Into Industry - "Growing Northland Industries"
YII is made possible by the enthusiasm and drive of Alistair Mcintyre (Mr. Mac) and his team including all the excellent community and industry support...click here to see the full article (3.1 MB PDF) »
Field Day Exhibitor article - "Kids Love Doug the Digger"
Fielddays is not just for adults as kids flock to test their excavation skills...click here to see the full article »
Deals on Wheels article - "Youngsters Enjoy Operator Training"
Getting familiar with civil contracting gear and trucks as part of the Youth into Industry programme was a great way for nine Whangarei teenage boys to spend their autumn holidays...click here to see the full article »
Deals on Wheels article - "Maximising Youth Potential
Following [our] report on the Whangarei Youth Info Industry project last month, Alistair "Doug the Digger" McIntyre reports that several students have found Gateway programme placements...click here to see the full article »
Driver Really Digs the Message of Reading
The Wairoa Star reported on Mr. Mac's visit in his new Kenworth truck...more »
Mighty Truck Carries Powerful Message
In April the Advocate ran an article about the newest edition to the Doug the Digger family - Mr. Mac is driving a Kenworth around the country to help spread his message...more »
Mr. Mac Receives an NiE Platinum Sponsor Certificate
Rangi, Newspapers in Education (NiE) Coordinator for the Northern Advocate presents Alistair (Mr. Mac) with a platinum certificate for sponsoring 25 schools in Northland for the 2006 NiE programme...click here to see the presentation »
Duffy's Role Model in the Spotlight
Doug and Duffy's have a long and productive relationship - Mr. Mac shares the message of the importance of reading , learning and having fun everywhere he goes ...click here to view the June 2006 spotlight article »
Diggin' Away Pays Dividends
Peter DeGraaf of the Northern Advocate reports on Mr. Mac's journey to have the Doug the Digger books stocked at Whitcoull's ...click here to view the article »
Meet Mr. Mac & Doug the Digger
The December issue of Scene magazine featured an article about Doug and Mr. Mac and some of the great feedback they've had during their travels. Included in the article is the "Holiday Road Safety " boardgame (also available separately in the downloads section) ...click here to view/download the complete article (1.5 MB PDF) »
Mr. Mac & Duffy's Books
As well as his Doug the Digger activities, Mr. Mac also helps with the Duffy Books programme in schools. Eduvac recently ran an article showing his visit to Opunake Primary School ...click here to view/download the article (388 KB PDF) »
Machine Mania
Maria Priestly reports in Hawkes Bay Today's 24th October edition on Mr. Mac and Doug's travels around the country ...click here to see the article »
Doug the Digger Inspires and Educates
Taihape Area School played host to "Doug the Digger" last week. The show, if it can be called that, is based on building confidence and to inspire children of all ages to use this special time in their lives to learn as much as possible...click here to see the article »
Inspiring Words
Jacqui Taylor-Reid, of "Business Man Today" magazine, spends some time with a man who
brings together a love of machinery, an empathy with
children and a fondness for telling stories ...click here to see the article »
Cameron's Challenge - A Fundraiser
Make a gold coin donation to come along and meet Cameron Leslie, and hear Mr Mac (Alistair McIntyre) talk about their exploits, overcoming challenges, facing fears and making dreams come true...click here to see time, venue and other details »
Alistair Digs Books
Whangarei author Alistair McIntyre with BOI Rotary president Jan Madden and rotary schools liason Mary Moore sponsors of Kawakawa School's Books in Homes programme ...click here to see the article »
Out on the Street for Cancer Society
Doug the Digger author Alistair McIntyre and some friends were asking people to guess the weight of a digger to raise money for the Cancer Society ...click here to see the article »
Doug the Digger Author Tells How He Overcame His Fears - Northern News
Author Alistair McIntyre's visited Ohaeawai Primary School last week and captivated the pupils with his zany style of encouraging them to read ...click here to see the article »
Mr. Mac's Perfect Life - Oct/Nov 2004 Parents and School Today
The construction industry and big machines have been a big part of Alistair McIntyre's life since he went to work in the holidays with his dad when he was five ...click here to view a PDF (168K) of the article »
Something Special - Sept./Oct 2004 Deals on Wheels Book Review
Who cares that this is a kid's book? The front cover was enough to draw me in and entertain me - and I learnt something as well...click here to view a PDF (184K) of the article »
(NB: the book giveaway offer mentioned in the article was offered by the Deals on Wheels magazine and has expired)
Mr. Mac's visit to Onerahi Primary School:"Hoping to educate, inspire" talks about the development of the Doug the Digger character and book, Mr. Mac's recent association with infrastructure industry leader InfraTrain, and his other projects ...more »
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Doug and Mr. Mac have been busy visiting schools, participating in charity events, making presentations at conventions and continuing to spread the message of health, safety, education and having fun. We've collected newspaper and magazine articles about some of those events for you to read below: 
The Year That Was, 2012 - Northern Advocate, December, 2012
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