The NZ Hi-Tech Awards celebrate innovation and achievement across New Zealand’s technology sectors. This particular award recognises a Māori company that combines business success with cultural values and sustainable practices.
Helping keep boating waters safe and clean
Deep Dive Division offers commercial diving, underwater inspection, salvage, and environmental services across a range of water environments. Their work includes vessel hull cleaning, infrastructure inspections, underwater welding, and non-destructive testing — all services relevant to boat owners and operators.
More recently, their focus has extended to tackling environmental issues in waterways used by the public. In 2022, they completed an underwater scan of seven key swimming and boating spots along the Waikato River catchment. Using remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) and sonar, they identified sunken vehicles and other hazardous debris.
This work was initially funded by Waikato Tainui and later supported by the Waikato River Authority, allowing Deep Dive Division to remove dangerous material from the river. This cleanup is significant for anyone using the river for recreation or commercial purposes, as underwater debris poses real risks to boats and swimmers alike.
Practical use of technology
The company uses a range of technology in its work, including 4K video, 3D imaging, ultrasonic testing, and ROVs capable of operating in confined spaces. These tools help them carry out thorough inspections of underwater assets like moorings, reservoirs, and vessel hulls.
They also provide environmental services such as water quality monitoring, biosecurity testing, and aquaculture support, often working closely with local iwi, councils, and marine operators.
Deep Dive Division combines modern technology with a strong cultural approach, integrating mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) into their projects to ensure sustainable outcomes that respect the environment and its people.
What the award means
The Māori Company of the Year award is a significant achievement for Deep Dive Division. It recognises both their technical capabilities and their commitment to the environment and Māori values.
In a social media post, the team said:
“We are blown away by receiving Māori Company of the Year at the 2025 Hi Tech Awards. The team’s hard work and innovations to restore and protect water environments being recognised is a massive deal to us. We are so grateful for our DDD community and are locked in to the mission.”
Why this matters to boaters
For those who spend time on New Zealand’s lakes, rivers, and harbours, having safe, clean waterways is essential. Underwater hazards like dumped cars and debris are not just an environmental problem — they create real safety issues for boat operators.
Deep Dive Division’s work helps reduce those risks, while also supporting the health of the water and the ecosystems that boating depends on. Their combination of diving expertise, technology, and a focus on cultural values makes them a key player in maintaining and restoring the waterways New Zealanders use every day.
