Buller District Council has announced today the resignation of Dredge Master Steve Christieson, who has led the operation of the dredge Kawatiri for more than seven years.
The council says Ms Christieson has played a key role in restoring the Kawatiri to a well-maintained, fully crewed vessel, ensuring her seaworthiness and positioning her firmly for future assignments. His extensive knowledge, unwavering advocacy, and passion for the dredge industry have led him to promote the Kawatiri’s capabilities to ports across New Zealand, said Group Manager Corporate Services, Paul Numan.
“Steve has left a legacy that we can build upon. His vision for how the Kawatiri fits into New Zealand’s dredging landscape, combined with his steadfast commitment to vessel safety and crew welfare, has been invaluable. We are grateful for his support and expert advice, and we wish him all the very best for the future,” said Mr Numan.
Mr Christieson has played an important role in supporting the crew and maintaining the vessel to a high standard. His leadership has ensured the Kawatiri remains safe, seaworthy, and well-positioned for future work, said Mr Numan.
The Council said dredging in the Westport basin, funded through the RIF programme, will continue as planned with the existing crew.
