Dive Pacific 175 Dec2020 Jan 2021

Photo Credit: Cole Johnston and Sole Ventures
tude for the wage subsidy.
Craig says without it we
wouldn’t have survived
“so fairly thankful for that
already.”
Kate affirms the focus for her
team is making (the grant)
work, being accountable, and
taking on the responsibility of
the high-trust model that was
presented. “The Government
has looked after us, and we
have faith they will continue
to do so if necessary.”
But Richard is adamant
Immigration could do better!
“NZ has overseas workers stuck
in the country and Immigration
takes too long to process applications.
Leave the politics out of it.
We need these workers now!”
Craig thinks strategic funding
should have been spread around
more operators within the
tourism sector, and now the
government needs to find a way
to open New Zealand borders
to countries that don’t have
community transmission of
Covid. “Without international
tourism we will start to see
businesses folding fairly soon.”
But Adam comes at it differently.
He’d like to see additional funding
for upskilling. And he says he’s
not a fan of a ‘cash in the hand’
approach from government.
At the Poor Knights with Tutukaka Dive
Brent gives a specific example of
the skills in demand. The government
could look at changing the
medical requirements for staff
CoC’s, he said. The current cost
and time that it takes to get a
commercial medical check is
restricting younger kiwis from
entering the industry. A more
practical option would be to have
an annual recreational medical
rather than the current three
year term for a commercial
medical.
Kevin wants to see Kiwis encouraged
more to keep their tourism
and fun spend local as much as
possible, and to support local/
small businesses.
6) How long do you think it will be
until your business gets back to
the sort of revenues as before
Covid-19?
I’m not sure it will, Craig said.
Adam added, “It’s no longer
‘business as usual’
because there is no
usual anymore.” Craig
thinks people will no
longer be able be able
to travel internationally
like they used
to. “But that’s ok. We
will adapt to our new
market/client base and
cater to that.”
Waiheke Dive is now
totally focused helping
grow their domestic
industry and demand,
A group outing with Waiheke Dive
and widening product offerings,
Adam says.
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Photo Credit: Waiheke Dive
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