| 3 “Young people shouldn’t have to leave to find work. By building high-value industries in our own backyards, we can create a sustainable future.” T T Kelly Deeks Innovative firmmaking waves Deep Dive Division is at the forefront of developing new technologies for environmental monitoring. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Deep Dive Division Waikato-based commercial and scientific dive company Deep Dive Division is now making waves on the national stage, taking out the Hi-Tech Kamupene Māori o te Tau – Māori Company of the Year award at the prestigious New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards. For founders Tua and Courtney Karalus, the win marks a huge milestone in their six-year journey to establish Aotearoa’s only Māori and Pacific-owned dive company of its kind. “We’d previously won a local award at the Waikato Pacific Business Awards, but this was our first national recognition,” Courtney says. “There’s been a lot of hard work involved, and it’s amazing to see it acknowledged in this way.” Commercial diving is an old industry and has traditionally been dominated by a handful of long-established operators and large research organisations. Tua saw the opportunity to bring something new. After qualifying as a commercial diver, he recognised a gap in the market for high-quality, accurate data collection to support science, infrastructure, and aquaculture. “It was really about creating an industry in the water that was values-based,” he says. “Our goal has always been to create a symbiotic relationship between people and the environment.” Deep Dive Division launched in 2018 with a project in open ocean aquaculture, installing and monitoring structures as part of research and development work. Since then, the business has expanded into a wide range of commercial, environmental, and technological services, from infrastructure inspections and salvage operations to water quality monitoring, biosecurity testing, and advanced robotic survey work. What sets Deep Dive Division apart is its values-led approach. Guided by kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and manaakitanga (care and respect), the team sees themselves as protectors of the marine and freshwater environments they work in. “All of our people are kaitiaki in the water,” Courtney says. “We connect with local communities, we respect their whenua and moana, and we share knowledge with tamariki and rangatahi. That process is as important as the data we collect.” This blend of cultural grounding and technical expertise impressed the Hi-Tech Awards judges, who noted the importance of showcasing Māori and Pacific businesses in technology and innovation spaces where they are often underrepresented. Today, Deep Dive Division is at the forefront of developing new technologies for environmental monitoring. Current projects include a reef system initiative using underwater cameras and artificial intelligence to track water quality and identify marine species in real time. “These reef systems are like social housing underwater,” Tua says. “They create habitats, but just as importantly, they give us data. With this technology, iwi and marae can monitor their own environments rather than waiting for government reports. It’s about empowerment and self-determination.” The company is also advancing work with automated underwater vehicles to support aquaculture, environmental management, and species recognition, and these innovations are attracting strong interest in New Zealand’s fast-growing blue economy. Alongside commercial projects, Tua and Courtney are passionate about building educational pathways into diving, robotics, and marine science. “For coastal communities, this is about creating opportunities at home,” Tua says. “Young people shouldn’t have to leave to find work. By building high-value industries in our own backyards, we can create a sustainable future.” With national recognition now under their belts, the Karalus whānau see their Hi-Tech Award win not as an endpoint, but as a launchpad. “We’re very grateful for the work we’ve been given and the partnerships we’ve built,” Courtney says. “This award gives us the platform to keep moving forward—to innovate, to educate, and to restore balance between people and the environment.” As an independent accountancy and business advisory firm supporting growing businesses like Deep Dive Division, we stay agile and always focused on delivering a service tailored to your business needs. 07 8382169 www.vazeychild.co.nz COMMERCIAL & SCIENT IFIC DIVING | ROBOT ICS | TECHNOLOGY FOLLOW THE JOURNEY, VISIT DEEPDIVEDIVISION.CO.NZ
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