From the restart Hikurangi kicked possession away, giving Wellsford the chance to counter.
With the final play of the game, Wellsford's Wright made no mistake with a penalty 30m out to snatch the victory - giving him 16 points for the match.
Wellsford vice-captain Ross Neal said his team expected the game to be close and now were focusing on shutting out Mid Western this week.
"We have kind of been under the radar up until this week but now we need to up our game."
In the weekend's other matches, the return of ex-Northland No8 Jake Parangatai wasn't enough for Marist to overcome Mid Western (20-13), although Marist remain second on the table boasting the competition's best offensive and defensive records. Kamo out-muscled Otamatea 29-22 at home, while Old Boys scored an away win against the Western Sharks (32-12), and Mid Northern overcame Hora Hora 42-30.
This Saturday, Old Boys host Marist, Mid Northern face Western Sharks at Hukerenui, Hora Hora will host Kamo, Otamatea play Hikurangi at Kaiwaka, and Mid Western play Wellsford at Maungakaramea.