The former director of Maritime New Zealand has been given a key role in managing the long-term recovery of the Bay of Plenty environment from the Rena disaster.
Catherine Taylor was involved in the early stages of the response when the container ship ran aground on the Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga on 5 October last year.
She left Maritime New Zealand in December when her contract expired.
Environment Minister Nick Smith says Ms Taylor will return to Tauranga on Wednesday and lead the long-term recovery effort.
Dr Smith says a plan will be formally launched by the end of the month.
