John Charles La Roche MNZM (born 2 April 1937) is a New Zealand engineer and author. As an engineer he specialised in design work for water treatment plants and in waste management.
John La Roche | |
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Born | John Charles La Roche 2 April 1937 |
Nationality | New Zealand |
Occupation | Engineer |
La Roche was born in Howick, New Zealand. After secondary education at Auckland Grammar School, he studied engineering at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering in 1962.
After graduation, La Roche worked in London for Ove Arup & Partners, later returning to New Zealand, working on Auckland engineering projects.[1] In 1968, he began working for water treatment company Paterson Candy International, working on plants in Hamilton and New Plymouth.[1] In 1975, La Roche began working at the Auckland Regional Authority, where he designed the region's water treatment plants.[1] La Roche worked in a variety of civil engineering roles related to water supply, particularly at Auckland Regional Authority where he was involved in major expansions of chemical handling equipment and the development of a greatly improved system for mixing flocculation chemicals with the water to be treated. He promoted the use of declining rate filtration as opposed to constant rate filtration as a means to provide additional flow capacity.[2] From 1988, and especially following his retirement in 1992, he and his wife Sue were heavily involved as voluntary administrators of Water for Survival,[3] a charity that provided safe drinking water and basic sanitation to 500,000 people in developing country village communities.[4]
La Roche was recognised as a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Auckland in 1999.[5] In 2018 La Roche was recognised for his contributions to the engineering heritage of Auckland with the Centennial Excellence in Engineering Heritage Award.[6] In the New Year Honours list, 2003, La Roche was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to engineering.[7]