Thanks for so much: Ken Wright retires
Category: National. Posted: 24 March 2026
Personal interchange is so valuable: Long-time biosecurity worker, advocate and NZBI loyalist, Ken Wright retires
In February 2026, Ken Wright, Biosecurity Officer at Tasman District Council (TDC) retired after 18 years of service at TDC, and decades of previous service to the biosecurity sector. He began work at TDC in 2007 conducting some animal pest work, but predominantly pest plant work for the districts of Mapua to Motueka, Riuwaka, Marahau, Abel Tasman and Golden Bay.
Ken was born and educated in Nelson and has had a career in various parts of New Zealand with the Forest Service (Environmental Forestry at Canterbury, Craigieburn Forest Park, Waipoua Kauri Forest, Golden Downs Forest and attended the Forestry Training Centre at Rotorua, gaining an NZCF qualification). He specialised in Environmental Forestry which involved work in forest parks, reserves, animal control, revegetation and track and hut maintenance.
Following the restructuring of the Forest Service, he worked in the Historic, Recreation and Tourism section of the newly formed Department of Conservation (DoC), Nelson Conservancy Office.
In 1990, after one of the many DoC restructures, he joined Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and spent 15 years there as a Biosecurity Officer, based in Upper Hutt. He was involved in developing and implementing pest animal control programmes, to enhance biodiversity in the four City Councils and Kapiti District Council areas of the Greater Wellington Region. His team of five also conducted aerial baiting of possums in the various GWRC water supply catchments. Ken had operational involvement in five mainland island projects, including Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary. Ken noted that the effect on native bird life, after sustained control of pest animals, was outstanding, with many bird species reappearing in the city, after decades of absence. He has also had experience working with volunteer conservation groups and valued their contribution to their individual biodiversity enhancement programmes. In his time at GWRC his supervisor Ray Clarey was a great mentor and trained him in all forms of rabbit control methods. This rabbit control knowledge has been invaluable as less rabbiters remain in the work place.
It was during this time at GWRC that Ken began his association with the forebear of the Biosecurity Institute, the Pest Management Institute. From those early beginnings he attended NETS in various parts of New Zealand. He remembers well Peter Nelson who was the former Training Manager for the Pest Destruction Council and then managed his own business, Pest Management Services. Peter was a great leader and developed his trainees into lasting key management roles in the various councils. He was also a great mentor to Ken, with regular visits to Peter’s Waikanae base.
After 36 years involved with the two institutes, Ken reflects that the NETS events over the years have been a great opportunity to have training, but to also have informal chats to your colleagues from around NZ and discuss common issues and develop a network of practical knowledge. In Ken’s time at TDC he has enjoyed experimenting with pest treatment methods and preparing informational brochures on how to get rid of pest plants and pest animals. This culminated in 2022 with him receiving NZBI’s Peter Ingram Award for his seven “Controlling Pest Invaders” brochures.
Ken also reflects that it is important to have a good chat with your occupiers and this goes a long way to developing an atmosphere of trust and ultimately makes your job more effective. He now wishes you all the best for the future and thanks you all for your friendship. “Please ensure that you keep the actual attendance of NETS going, as this personal interchange is so valuable,” he said.
Pictured:
Ken preparing rabbit baits
Ken is a friend to all, and any pooch, seen here on the annual Molesworth goose hunt