Wayne Wright, the co-founder of the Wright Family Foundation, has died.
A tireless champion of early childhood education, Wayne Wright snr leaves behind a legacy of vision, generosity and community impact that will be felt for many generations to come.
Wright died on March 20. A funeral service will be held at the Holy Trinity Church, on Devonport Rd in Tauranga, from 11am on Saturday.
Wright and his late wife, Chloe, who died in September 2023, established Best Start Educare in Tauranga in 1996, which became the largest NZ early childhood education provider.
Best Start was converted into a charity in 2015, and more than 4500 staff care for about 20,000 pre-school children nationally.
The Wrights invested more than $60 million in the early childhood education sector, and in June last year, he described Best Start as “probably the most satisfying” of all his projects.
The Wright Family Foundation, established in 2014, has distributed more than $50 million in charitable funds to support education, the arts and social programmes.
Last year, Wright was made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education and philanthropy in the King’s Birthday honours.
At the time, Wright told the Bay of Plenty Times that he had left school in the sixth form, but that had not held him and his wife back from building empires, and described himself as a “serial entrepreneur”.
Wright Family Foundation trustee Bill Holland said he and Wright had been close friends for many years.
“Wayne was extremely successful over the years in his business life. This has been reflected in the many business awards he has received, including his Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit award.”
Holland said Wright and his late wife were renowned for their philanthropy.
“The foundation has been very generous over the years to numerous charitable organisations, both locally in Tauranga and nationally throughout New Zealand. ”
He said local charities that had benefited included the Graeme Dingle Foundation, the Good Neighbour Charitable Trust, and Live For More Charitable Trust.
The foundation is also the principal sponsor of the Sir John Kirwan Foundation.
Holland said he expected more than 100 charities to benefit from foundation funds this year.
“Wayne will be greatly missed,” he said.
Last year, the Wright Family Foundation invested nearly $1 million in Tautoko Mai’s We Can Keep Safe personal safety programme for pre-schoolers, aimed at preventing sexual harm.
This funding enables Tautoko Mai to offer this programme in 80 to 100 early childcare centres in the Bay of Plenty and the Waikato over three years.
Tautoko Mai chief executive Brent Gilbert-De Rios said he and Tautoko Mai were “deeply saddened” by Wright’s death and extended their ”heartfelt condolences" to his whānau.
“The foundation’s generous support has made a significant difference for tamariki aged 3 to 5 years in early childhood settings across the Bay of Plenty.
“We are profoundly grateful for Mr Wright’s vision, generosity, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind, one that will continue to protect and empower our youngest tamariki for years to come.
“We remain deeply committed to honouring that legacy through our ongoing work.”
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of Wright’s death and extended his “sincere condolences” to his family, friends and all those people whose lives he touched.
“The positive impact Wayne and his late wife Chloe have had across Tauranga and the wider region is extraordinary.
“Through their work in early childhood education and their extensive philanthropy, they showed an incredible generosity and commitment to giving back, benefiting countless organisations and changing many lives.”
He said the Wrights’ legacy would continue to make a “meaningful difference” in this community for years to come.
“Our city is better for his contribution, and Wayne will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude for the lasting impact he and Chloe made.”
Sean Plunket, The Platform NZ online media site owner and host, posted a tribute to Wright on Facebook.
Plunket said it was with “immense sadness” that The Platform extended its deepest condolences to the Wright family.
“Wayne was an exceptional New Zealander who, through grit and determination, forged a business empire and philanthropic foundation that assisted and uplifted thousands of Kiwis.
“Though a very small chapter in the volumes of good works, he and Chloe dedicated their lives to The Platform, simply wouldn’t exist without his courage, generosity and mentorship. It is comforting to know that work will continue through the efforts of the Wright family.
“Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the entire Wright family.”
A statement from the Wright family said Wright was a “dedicated family man”.
“Most would consider his life as full, yet he still had ambitious goals he was eager to complete.
“Wayne and Chloe’s children will continue their amazing philanthropic legacy.”
Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 25 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.