Our People

Central to Water Testing Hawke's Bay's (WTHB) successful operation are our people. We've invested heavily in a team of highly experienced, competent and passionate scientists, and seasoned water-industry experts.

Our people are involved in ongoing professional development and training programmes to keep them up-to-date with both New Zealand's and international best practices, along with official standards of water quality and testing methods.
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Our staff understand they're in a position of the utmost responsibility with their ability to accurately assess water composition and its bacteriological content for the benefit of our clients, the public, the environment, and our ecosystems. In this section you can find out where our people come from, the experience and qualifications they bring, along with their day-to-day roles.

Gary Edwards

Branch Manager

Gary took over as branch manager In December 2023 from Cynthia Bowers who has transitioned into a logistics role. Trained as a Mechanical services engineer HND in the UK, progressing to managing and then owning businesses in engineering trades services, manufacturing engineering and most recently the Food sector, he brings a wealth of business leadership knowledge and experience to the team.

A graduate of the Auckland business school, Icehouse leadership program, he is here to ensure we continue to be one of New Zealand's leading regional bacteriological water-testing and analysis labs.

 Email: [email protected] 
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Linzie du Plessis

  

Quality Lead

  

BSc Hons (Biochemistry) BSc (Environmental & Biological Sciences, majoring in Biochemistry & Zoology)

Linzie is originally from South Africa and has also worked as a Bio analyst in Germany, she brings a strong chemistry and quality background.           
                                                                                                                                                                                   
Joining the WTHB team in July 2021, Linzie is responsible for making sure the laboratory maintains the highest standards in both their professional and technical excellence. Her role also involves ensuring compliance at all times with international standards including IANZ accreditation, Taumata Arowai accreditation and NZGAP approval.  She is also responsible for providing technical advice to our clients and is a valued KTP to the lab team. 

Natalia Domagala

  

Laboratory & Sample Reception Team Leader

  

BSC (Hons) in Forensic and Analytical SciencE

Originally from Poland, and studying in the UK, Natalia has worked extensively across multiple discipline laboratories within the UK and New Zealand, where she specialised in Analytical Chemistry.

Joining the WTHB team in September 2023, Natalia brings a wealth of experience to the role of Laboratory Team Leader.  She is responsible for running our analytical testing laboratory and for ensuring that excellent levels of client service and strict laboratory testing compliance are consistently delivered.

Trevor Dine

  

Sampling Team Leader

  

NZCS in Biology, Majoring in Biochemistry and Microbiology

Trevor joined us in Dec 2021 and has worked in the water, wastewater, and mineral industries for 40 years, so he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. 

Highlights of his career include being Chemist for the commissioning of the Te Marua Water Treatment Plant (Primary water source for Wellington, Porirua and Upper Hutt City’s), Health and Safety Officer for phase 1 of the remediation of Waiuta Gold Mine (the 2nd highest arsenic contaminated site in the Southern Hemisphere) and overseeing the commissioning audit of the $100 million coal washery plant at Stockton to name a few. 
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He ensures our sampling team maintains the high standards required of the role and go the extra mile to meet our client's needs.

Alastair McSporran

  

LIMS Manager

  

Alastair manages our laboratory information management system, a complex network of all the data and metrics integral to accurate testing and reporting for our clients. He has food laboratory experience and is a qualified water sampler, holding an Opus Drinking Water Sampling NZQA unit standard. He has an in-depth understanding of eQual our LIMS system, as well as ensuring our specialist Wai software feeds back the live testing results from the field sampling team.

Alastair is one of WTHB's original employees, helping set up the company in July 2016. He is responsible for ensuring our laboratory information system meets the needs of both WTHB and our clients.