Board
Dr Seddon Bennington Chairperson
381 7016 (wk)
Dr Seddon Bennington, Chief Executive of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, has been a museum director in Australia and the United States, and through his 30 year museum career, has been equally involved in heritage matters and contemporary design. In Pittsburgh he was active in Downtown Urban Planning, both Chairing the Urban Design Taskforce and being a member of the Review Committee for the Historic Cultural District.
His interest in Wellington’s urban planning was first expressed in a New Zealand school journal article “Tale of a Street” about Lambton Quay, in the early 1980’s.
His interest in being involved in the Wellington Civic Trust reflect his commitment to the quality of the built and natural environment, and the way we enliven and humanise Wellington through innovative design, and enjoyable spaces for people to experience in their everyday activity.
Di Buchan Debuty Chair
Di joined the Trust in 1990, became a member of the Board in 1998 and was the Trust’s Chairperson from 2000 -2007. She is a social researcher specialising in social impact assessment and public consultation. She is also a member of the New Zealand Planning Institute.
“As a facilitator and designer of consultation processes, I am a firm believer in the benefits of genuine public involvement in decision-making. To quote the philosopher Paul Feyerband ‘variety of opinion is necessary for objective knowledge’. People have a right to be consulted on matters which affect their wellbeing.
“I am passionate about my adopted city Wellington where I have lived since 1986. I love the accessibility of it, the village atmosphere, the harbour (of course), the hills, the night life and the passionate, intelligent, friendly people who live here. Wellington is a city with a strong sense of place: it has quite distinctive architecture, an outstanding waterfront and many national institutions. I am convinced that the Civic Trust has played an important part in making the city what it is today.”
Alan Smith Secretary
Ph:566-3034 Mobile: 027-285-6304
Alan has just retired after 40 years in Libraries, latterly as University Librarian at Victoria. Something of an architect manqué, he has a particular interest in streetscapes (historic and modern) and urban geography - how people live and how they get around.
“I really love this town - while my favourite spot of all is the Ataturk Memorial behind Seatoun, the whole city and urban area fascinates me. I’m a fifth-generation Wellingtonian, so I hope that some of this affinity can be applied through being an active part of The Wellington Civic Trust”.
David Pucher Publications editor
I’m a born and bred Wellingtonian trained as a professional musician but with an interest in local history and cultures.
Belonging to the Civic Trust is an attempt to satisfy these as well as furthering the ideals of an organisation I strongly endorse.
Callum Strong Membership secretary and web manager
A Wellingtonian by birth, Callum began presenting developmental concepts to the City Council as an independent artist. His interest in photography provided the basis for exploration of the urban environment.
He studied architecture and art history at Victoria University which “opened up a world of possibilities for creative, green, alternative designs.”
Callum was a researcher at the Wellington City Archives. “In order to prepare for the future we must look to the past. There is a tangible history of creative forces that have shaped Wellington. I believe the Civic Trust plays an important role in inspiring participation and debate on the development of our beautiful city.”
Chris Watson
Ph: +64 21 158 7874
Chris has lived most of his life around Wellington harbour, and has also enjoyed many days sailing on it. He graduated from Victoria University School of Architecture and practiced in the Government Architect’s office until establishing his own practice in 1991.
Much of his work has been bringing systematic improvements to the quality of built environment through participation of stakeholders in briefing for design.
Chris is passionate about architects being involved to a greater extent in city planning to improve urban design and minimise damage to the wider environment and ecosystems. He has travelled extensively and sees potential to bring exciting and sustainable innovations to Wellington.
Tony Town
Peter Brooks
Ph: 479-6812
Sharmian Firth
Ph: 472-2705
Immediate past members
Michael Dudding
Peter Baillie 
Neville Beach
