Tara Okan

Science Advisor

Tara Okan has an extensive career spanning more than four decades as a Humanitarian & Water Quality Scientist. Called by some a hydrosphere warrior.

With formal qualifications in Botany, Fresh Water Ecology and Marine Zoology from the University of Auckland he has developed specialist expertise in feed forward process control of water and wastewater treatment plants and online analysis and treatment of liquid trade waste. He has successfully worked for a wide variety of clients including local industries, local and regional authorities and large corporate organisations in New Zealand and Australia in the treatment of dairy, abattoir, and industrial trade waste.
Tara is passionate about the sustainability of the planet and the need for clean drinking water for all. Including his current humanitarian project Water4kids getting clean water to children caught on the front lines of war. (water4kids.org.nz)

Tara was the driving force behind the formation of the NZTIWF and is still an integral part of the organisation.