Dive Pacific 175 Dec2020 Jan 2021

Photo Credit: NZ Sea Adventures
The team at Sea Adventures at Mana
lucky ones that already had a
supportive, domestic market.
“The future doesn’t look quite so
bleak, at present anyway.”
Adam said keeping his Waiheke
team employed as much as
possible, while making sure
we can pay the bills, was a
real challenge. A high point
was “seeing key elements of
the tourism industry and the
dive industry come together,
share ideas and resources to
ensure we all survive. Its been
a true ‘warms the heart’ kinda
moment!”
Low points for Brent were not
being able to travel overseas
with their dive groups while
high points were having time to
complete some projects being
planned for some time, including
a comprehensive guide to wreck
diving.
“This has allowed
me to re-realise
that customer focus
is key,” Craig said.
“The experience
that they have in all
interactions with
me and my staff
is critical. Good
budgeting is pretty
important too.”
Adam notes three
things: accept this
is how it is, recognise the market
has changed, and collaborate
with the community, businesses
and organisations that align with
your values.
Brent suggests more locals
should be encouraged to get into
diving. We have a massive coastline
with very diverse diving
environments, and dive operators
need to find ways to retain their
clients as active divers. He agrees
with Adam that networking and
collaborating with other dive
operators is important to ensure
clients have a greater menu of
diving opportunities.
Kevin in Gisborne agrees
with Brent and Adam that its
important not to have all your
eggs in one basket. As Kevin
says: “What helps us is not
relying on one thing and keeping
an open mind to what our area
needs.”
Kate points out everyone has
been in the same storm, just in
different boats. “Being nimble,
and quick to recognise opportunities
for change, having the
ability to adapt fast, and being
open and honest in all dealings,
is her motto. “Covid is happening
to everyone, so the ‘be kind’
mantra is a fair one,” she says.
Richard advises: “Do what you
do well, keep your costs low and
don’t discount too heavily. The
yields are already lower in the
domestic market so compete on
service, not price.”
…a big feature of the year has been the general vibe of our
community intent on looking out for each other -heaps of
causes helping out those in need in the East Coast…
5) What do you think the government
might do to help your
business recovery from now on?
Kate and Craig speak as one
when they express their grati-
Kate says their Poor Knights
snorkel market has grown!
“People are still keen to visit a
tropical destination with loads
of fish! The Tourism NZ drive
to ‘Do Something New NZ”
has worked well, with a bonus
being the opportunity to do
some work on your business
you seldom find time for.” A
low point? Not heading out to
the Knights a lot and not being
able to dive for that long.
4) Is there an experience from
this you would recommend
other businesses consider?
A typical ‘perfect day’ at the Poor Knights with Tutukaka Dive
Photo Credit: Cole Johnston and Sole Ventures
22 Dive New Zealand | Dive Pacific