Dive company now big fish in big pond

A Northland dive charter company has beaten off the big fish to be named the most outstanding dive centre in the South East Asia Pacific region.
Dive! Tutukaka was awarded the title by the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) at an award ceremony in Bangkok earlier this month.
The Northland dive centre was selected from more than 900 dive centres and resorts in 45 countries.
Included among these was ProDive Cairns, of Australia, and other major operators in established dive and tourism hotspots throughout Australasia.
In handing over the supreme award Claus Nimb, of PADI, said Dive! Tutukaka had been judged by a panel of five key dive industry stake holders, and had surpassed its competitors in its dedication to excellence and innovation.
"One of Dive! Tutukaka's strengths lies in not resting on its laurels but working hard towards trying to get their name in on next year's award through innovation and product development," Mr Nimb said.
The company's strategic positioning of New Zealand and the Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve on both the national and international market were applauded as outstanding.
They are leaders nationally with the sustainable aspect of their Eco Tourism business, he said.
Dive! Tutukaka director Jeroen Jongejans said one of the biggest benefits of receiving the award was that it recognised that the Poor Knights Islands were "right up there" with destinations like the Great Barrier Reef and Thailand.
"We are committed to providing a world class standard of service and we modestly accept the recognition of others that we are achieving our objectives," Mr Jongejans said.
"Above all we are committed to the Poor Knights as a superb destination, and proud that we belong to and are part of the Tutukaka Coast, locally owned and locally staffed."
* Dive! Tutukaka started five years ago with a three boat fleet.
It now operates seven ocean going vessels and has become New Zealand's largest dive charter operator, taking well over 10,000 customers out to the Poor Knights Islands each year.
* The business is owned by Aussie Malcolm and Jeroen Jongejans and has a staff of 10 people over winter and about 35 during summer.
* Dive! Tutukaka provides dive charter trips, snorkelling, sight-seeing and kayaking at the Poor Knights Islands and dive training through PADI Open Water.
* PADI (The Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the world's largest recreational diving membership organisation. The membership includes dive businesses, resort facilities, academic institutions, instructor trainers, dive educators, divers, and other watersports enthusiasts.