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.

Cynthia Bowers

General Manager

Cynthia is a qualified accountant and a Chartered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors (IoD). She has significant experience in public practice and management accounting. She is also a former Hastings District Council deputy mayor and Hastings / Havelock North ward councillor.

Cynthia joined the WTHB team in October 2017 and is responsible for day-to-day operations. She maintains close relationships with clients and all staff while focusing on the business's planning and growth, marketing and human resources,. She also ensures WTHB remains positioned as one of New Zealand's leading regional bacteriological water-testing and analysis labs.

​Email: gm@watertestinghb.nz
​Mobile: 027 443 2999

Mike Olsen

  

Technical Manager

  

MSc (Microbiology)

With a Master of Science in Microbiology, Mike spent two years as microbiology supervisor at Fonterra Te Rapa, a year as team leader of the  data analyst team at LIC (Livestock Improvement Corporation) and seven years at Hills Laboratories as a lab technician.

​Joining the WTHB team in June 2018, Mike is responsible for making sure the sampling and laboratory teams maintain high standards in both their professional and technical excellence. His role also involves ensuring compliance at all times with international standards including IANZ accreditation, Ministry of Health (MoH) requirements and NZGAP approval.

​Email: mike@watertestinghb.nz
​​Mobile: 021 646 074

Robyn McDougal

  

Sample Reception Technician

  

NZ Cert. Science (Food)

Robyn has a NZ Certificate in Science (Food) and has extensive technical and practical experience as a laboratory technician. She spent six years with CRV Ambreed in Hamilton where for the last twelve months she was laboratory manager, four years at Taupo District Council as their environmental monitoring team leader, and prior to this held laboratory roles in Hawke's Bay, including seven years as Plant Quality Assurance Manager with an export meat company.  Robyn is also a qualified water sampler holding an Opus Enviromental Water Sampling NZQA Unit Standard.

​Joining the WTHB team in August 2019, Robyn works at the front-of-house providing impeccable client service and is the first person you'll meet when arriving at our Plunket Street lab. She deals with all client enquiries to ensure collected water samples are accurately received for testing, tests are accurately recorded, and clients receive prompt and accurate reports.

Caleb Hart

  

Sampling Team Leader

  

BSc Marine Biology (Ecology & Biodiversity)

Caleb is a qualified water sampler with an Opus Drinking Water Sampling NZQA unit standard under his belt. Over the two years Caleb has been a part of the WTHB team he has injected energy, enthusiasm and a deep passion for all things water, from taking samples in open bodies of water to council-designated water supply taps.

​Since joining in December 2016 Caleb now leads the WTHB team of samplers and ensures excellent levels of client services are delivered at all times. He also makes sure all sampling and in-field testing is carried out in accordance with our Quality Management System, IANZ accreditation and all of the international standards we adhere to.

Alastair McSporran

  

Data & Systems 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, is a qualified water sampler, has an Opus Drinking Water Sampling NZQA unit standard, along with an in-depth understanding of eQual.

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

Rowena Houghton

  

Laboratory Team Leader

  

BSc (Food Technology)

With a Bachelor of Science majoring in Food Technology with KTP status, Rowena heads up the laboratory team and has been with WTHB since July 2016. Previously she spent six years at RAM Food Products (Philippines) in a quality assurance role. Rowena also has an Opus Drinking Water Sampling NZQA unit standard.

​Prior to joining WTHB in 2016, Rowena had worked for the previous owners of the company. She is responsible for the day-to-day running of the laboratory and training of all our technical staff. Rowena has an in-depth understanding of scientific methods, best practice, and maintains a strong focus on quality and technical excellence.

Reena Kaur

  

Quality Control Coordinator

  

MSc (Biotechnology)

  Reena joined WTHB four years ago as a laboratory analyst.  She was promoted to her current role in April 2019.

​Reena is responsible for ensuring compliance with our quality management system, IANZ accreditation and adherence to international standards at all times.  She also works in the laboratory from time to time and hold Key Technical Personnel status as approved by IANZ.