Neil Harper worked to improve Auckland’s sewage and wastewater systems and to plan for future growth.
Neil was born in the U.K. and completed a B.Sc. in Engineering at University College, London in 1954.
He was then required to undertake his National Military Service and was posted to Port Said in Egypt as Assistant Clerk-of-Works. He returned to England in 1956, where he worked as a drainage engineer in the South of England.
Looking for overseas experience, Neil emigrated to New Zealand in 1962. For the rest of his career, Neil worked in the field of wastewater and drainage in Auckland, progressively taking on more senior roles.
In the 1960s, as an Engineer with the Auckland Drainage Board he worked on the design of the Southern Interceptor; investigating routes, flows and sewer sizes.
In 1968-1969, Neil completed a one-year post-graduate course in sanitary engineering at Delf in the Netherlands. He returned to New Zealand with increased knowledge and skills and was appointed Senior Engineer. He later worked as Design Engineer Drainage, and Chief Engineer Drainage, managing the Department and leading a staff of over 200.
