“Colin Wright has made a substantial contribution to the economic and environmental infrastructure of the Greater Wellington region, that will continue to benefit all of us for years to come,” says Chief Executive, David Benham. 

Mr Benham was speaking on Colin Wright’s departure from Greater Wellington Regional Council as a result of restructuring.

“For over 25 years Colin’s role as Divisional Manager in our Masterton office, and his previous roles as Chief Engineer and then General Manager for the former Wairarapa Catchment Board, have been essential to the development of the region.”

“Colin was a key figure at the time of local body restructuring in 1989 in bringing together staff from several different organisations to form the Wairarapa division of the regional council. He built a team of people focused on providing value for money and delivering results for the community.  In doing so he developed enduring, positive relationships with the community, his staff, councillors and stakeholders.”

 “In his previous role with the Catchment Board, Colin oversaw the completion of the Lower Wairarapa Valley Development Scheme, one of the largest flood protection schemes in New Zealand, which continues to protect farms and communities to this day. At the same time he ensured that the construction of flood protection works took a more environmentally sensitive approach to river management.”

“At Greater Wellington Colin has been instrumental in the success of our Bovine Tb and pest management programmes and, more recently, our involvement with the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

His latest achievement is still a work in progress, the construction of the new Waiohine River Bridge between Greytown and Carterton.  Colin was a key player in advancing the building of this new bridge.”

“Colin is widely known and respected for his many contributions to the wider regional community, and the Council wishes him all the best for the future,” said Mr Benham.