Dive! Tutukaka was founded in 1999 by two diving friends with a love for the sea; Aussie Malcolm and Jeroen Jongejans. Their focused vision then – to be the best dive operator in New Zealand - holds true today.
A funny story but a true one, Kate fell in love with the Dutchman, worked in Dive! for years, and then they saved all their pennies, and bought out Aussie - who just happens to be her dad! So it is still, and always has been, very much a family-run company.
Jeroen passed away suddenly on February 21st 2022. His loss will always be felt, he was a legend of a man, and his photo is at the helm of all our boats. A voice for the ocean, he leaves an awesome legacy.
After twenty years together, Kate is still in the business, and her turangawaewae is still on this coast.
Our business has always been about our people. Without them we are nothing.
Specialising in diving the Poor Knights Islands – “the best sub-tropical diving in the world” – Dive! Tutukaka is now New Zealand’s premier full-service dive charter operator.
Ko tatou wahi - we are our place- this is our place
Renowned for our friendly and professional crews, Dive! Tutukaka operates 364 days a year. Our home base, the Poor Knight Dive Centre, supplies air fills, dive equipment retail sales and hire.
Dive! Tutukaka blends the visual drama of Poor Knights with our passionate people and delivers you a total diving experience.
Ko tatou nei - it's who we are
Our Vision
To be the leading and most successful New Zealand based tourism operator, through delivering the best possible service, information and quality time to our customers, benefiting all our stakeholders, and striving to act as atawai to our local marine environment.
Atawai is a Maori word, most simply translated as ‘guardian’.
Our Mission
To provide safe, efficient and fun marine related experiences for our customers and to be the leader in this field.
Our Core Values
Core values are the fundamental beliefs of a person or organisation. These guiding principles dictate behaviour and can help people understand the difference between right and wrong. Core values are also called personal values and help us to determine if we are on the right path and fulfilling our goals by creating an unwavering guide.
Kotahitanga - collaboration
Kaitiakitanga - guardianship
Manaakitanga - a warm welcome
Whanaungatanga - strong relationships through shared experiences
The Poor Knights Islands & the Tutukaka Coast - are our turangawaewae - our place to stand.