New structure, leadership at CoLab

CoLab Wine Merchants has announced a leadership transition alongside a new national structure it says is designed to strengthen customer support and enhance channel focus across New Zealand.

General Manager Elizabeth Hart departed CoLab at the end of 2025 to take on a New Zealand Manager role with a large international education organisation.

CoLab founder Mark Weldon says that she leaves the wine industry following an outstanding tenure leading CoLab through a period of growth and consolidation.

“Elizabeth has done an exceptional job strengthening our portfolio and supporting both customers and suppliers with care and professionalism. We are deeply grateful for her contribution and wish her every success in this next chapter.”

CoLab has evolved its leadership model for 2026, splitting the General Manager role into two specialist positions: Head of Traditional Liquor, Specialty & Grocery; and Head of On-Premise, Groups & Independent Retail.

Cashias Gumbo has been appointed Head of Traditional Liquor, Specialty & Grocery, having most recently spent seven years as National Sales Manager at Brandhouse.

Monika Divors-Sidor is the new Head of On-Premise, Groups & Independent Retail. Her background includes recent work with the Auckland sales team at Mineral, previous roles with LVMH and Te Kano, and a period running her own distribution business.