Tony Williams

Tony Williams served as Director of the Wellington Botanic Garden from 2001 to 2003, a short tenure compared to his predecessors.

Tony Williams came to New Zealand from England, via the United States. He had spent sixteen years in New Orleans and then Washington DC working for environmental planning and park and planning services as a landscape architect. During this time he completed a degree in environmental planning and urban design at the University of Virginia.

In 1996 he moved to New Zealand and settled in Wellington with his partner. He worked with the Environmental Control Business Unit at council from 1996 to June 2001 managing the Design Guides for the Resource Consents team. In 2001 he was appointed as Manager of the Wellington Botanic Garden and Otari-Wilton's Bush.

During his time in the position he oversaw the redevelopment of Begonia House, which improved the visitor services and amenities. His goal was to increase the profile of the Botanic Gardens locally, nationally and internationally.