Why I Left Wellington—And the Lessons I’m Bringing With Me

Pip Rudhall Hyett
May 23
4 min read

Updated: May 26

Why I Left Wellington—And the Lessons I’m Bringing With Me

After more than a decade working on high-stakes government projects in the heart of Wellington, I found myself craving something different. Not less meaningful—just more grounded. I didn’t leave the capital because I was burnt out or bored. I left because I wanted to work where I live, live where I love, and still contribute to projects that shape the future.

I now call Cromwell home. And while the mountains and vineyards are certainly a perk, the move wasn’t just about lifestyle. It was about alignment—of pace, purpose, and potential.

Great Work Doesn’t Only Happen in Big Cities

For a long time, my project world was bound by Lambton Quay and The Terrace—where policy was shaped, infrastructure funded, and reform programmes debated. But over the years, I’ve seen some of the most innovative, agile, and people-driven work happening in the regions.

When I worked on the NZ Traveller Declaration for NZ Customs, what struck me wasn’t just the scale—it was the way we brought people together across agencies, communities, and borders. That lesson stays with me. It doesn’t matter where a project is based. It matters how it’s led.

Here in Central Otago, there’s growing momentum in infrastructure, climate action, housing, and iwi partnerships. These are high-stakes projects too—and they deserve the same rigour, clarity, and calm as any national initiative.

Strategy and Delivery Must Speak the Same Language

I’ve always been someone who bridges the gap between the strategic and the operational. In Wellington, this meant translating complex policy objectives into action plans that teams could own and deliver. Now, I’m applying that same skill to regional and local projects.

A community-led development. A regional transport initiative. A council climate response plan. These all require alignment between vision and delivery. And too often, they stall in the space between.

What I bring is not just process—it’s perspective. The ability to see the big picture and drill down into what needs to happen next.

Relationships Move Projects Forward

One of the great benefits of working regionally is that relationships come first. You see people in the supermarket, not just in boardrooms. That proximity builds trust—and trust accelerates progress.

I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration. Whether it was with legal advisors on regulatory resets, technical teams on digital transformations, or mana whenua on community engagement plans—progress has always followed strong relationships.

In Cromwell, that same principle applies. I’m already working alongside local councils, project leads, developers, business owners, and other consultants who are deeply invested in their communities—collaborating to create lasting, meaningful impact.

You Don't Need a Big Team to Make a Big Impact

In conversations with local business owners and community leaders, one theme comes up again and again: small teams can be mighty. When well supported, they bring agility, deep commitment, and a shared sense of purpose that’s often harder to sustain at scale.

In Wellington, I worked on large-scale projects involving hundreds of people. Scale brings momentum—but it can also introduce complexity, slow decision-making, and blur accountability. That’s why the strength of smaller, focused teams shouldn’t be underestimated.

With the right support, they can move with clarity, adapt quickly, and make a meaningful, lasting impact.

Local Doesn’t Mean Less Ambitious

There’s a perception sometimes that regional projects are “smaller” or less complex. But in reality, they often involve just as much nuance—if not more.

Local projects must balance limited resources, passionate community voices, and long-term sustainability. The decisions made today about infrastructure, housing, and environmental resilience will shape how we live for decades.

That’s why I apply the same calibre of leadership and care to regional work as I did to national programmes. Because local deserves it. And because regional New Zealand is where some of the most exciting, future-shaping work is now happening.

We All Bring Our Whole Selves to the Table

Professionally, the move to Central Otago allowed me to expand what leadership looks like. I no longer feel like I’m constantly sprinting to keep up with a city pace. I can think clearly, listen deeply, and bring a more grounded presence to my work.

Personally, I’m building a home, investing in my community, and walking alongside others doing the same.

New Chapter, Same Standards

If there’s one thing I want people to understand about my move, it’s this: I may have left the capital, but I haven’t left the calibre.

I still show up with the same energy, discipline, and integrity that guided my work in Wellington. I still love complex challenges. I still thrive in spaces where clarity is needed. But now, I get to do that while being more present with people I love, walking the river trails, and contributing to a region I genuinely care about.

So if you’re in Central Otago (or beyond) and thinking, "we need someone who can cut through the complexity and move things forward"—that’s where I come in.