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Deep Dive Division is a Waikato-based commercial diving and marine robotics company delivering advanced marine capability across environmental, infrastructure, and underwater operations.
With support from the Regional Business Partner Network and an Innovation Services R&D grant, the business has evolved from a traditional commercial diving company into an integrated marine technology and robotics provider.
A smarter approach to underwater work
Founded on a holistic approach to commercial diving, Deep Dive Division is built on the idea that underwater operations can be safer, smarter, and more environmentally informed.
By integrating environmental science, technology, and practical field capability, the company combines in-water expertise with tools such as sonar, digital mapping, remote systems, and data-led survey techniques to better understand and manage underwater environments.
Today, Deep Dive Division integrates commercial diving, marine robotics, sonar imaging, digital mapping, and environmental monitoring. It supports projects across infrastructure, environmental management, scientific operations, and underwater inspection.
The company works with councils, industry, researchers, and asset owners to deliver practical marine solutions that improve visibility, reduce risk, and support better decision-making beneath the surface.
Supporting the Waikato
Alongside its commercial work, Deep Dive Division has also contributed to environmental recovery efforts within the Waikato River. Giving back to the community and supporting the health and mauri of the local waterways.
During routine diving operations, the team regularly encountered submerged vehicles, scrap metal, and debris that had built up over decades. Recognising the environmental impact this had on the awa, the company began using its specialist diving, sonar, and underwater recovery capability to locate, map, and remove debris from the river.
To date, Deep Dive Division has recovered 46 vehicles and more than 78 tonnes of metal from the river. Using sonar and underwater mapping technology, the team safely identifies and removes waste from challenging environments, helping restore sections of the river system.
Investing in innovation
These projects reinforced the value of combining practical field expertise with technology and environmental insight. They have also helped shape the company’s ongoing investment in robotics, remote systems, sonar capability, and data-driven marine services that improve how underwater environments are assessed, maintained, and protected.
Through the Regional Business Partner Network, Deep Dive Division connected with a business navigator who helped the team refine its growth strategy, assess readiness for research and development, and explore opportunities such as the R&D Tax Incentive to support continued innovation.
Transcript
[Visual: Tua Karalus, a Pasifika man with short dark hair and a light beard, wearing a black t-shirt with the 'Deep Dive Division' logo, sits in a modern office space with wooden accents. He faces the camera, speaking warmly, and gestures with his hands to emphasize points. A large television screen in the background displays underwater robotic footage.]
[Audio: Gentle, uplifting acoustic background music plays softly throughout.]
Talofa lava. My name is Tua Karalus, managing director and founder of Deep Dive Division.
[Visual: Cuts to footage of a Deep Dive Division team member in a wetsuit, preparing to jump off a boat into blue water for a commercial dive.]
We focus on working around, on, but especially below the water - commercial diving, scientific diving, and also robotics.
[Visual: Cut to a close-up of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) underwater, with lights illuminating the seabed.]
[Visual: Cut back to Tua in the office interview setting. His name, Tua Karalus, and the brand Deep Dive Division appear along the bottom of the screen.]
But the main thing is the cultural aspect of our company, embracing Mātauranga Māori and also Pasifika values.
Innovation is very important to Deep Dive Division. In fact, it's key to us because we're about creating a symbiotic relationship between the natural environment and humans.
[Visual: Cut back to Tua in the office, looking thoughtful, occasionally smiling.]
The challenge in getting started in research and development is really bringing all your networks together. Yeah, that can be difficult at times.
We were connected to a navigator through the Regional Business Partner Network.
The navigator was like a trusted adviser who really worked through the whole process of our application. Got us to really nail down what it is that we knew about our own business.
[Visual: Cut back to Tua in the office interview seat.]
So, we've stress-tested to see if we could support ourselves throughout the research and development phase.
[Visual: Cuts to a panning shot across the water with the words if you’re interested in innovation, your local Regional Business Partner is ready to help you on your journey. It then pans to a diver exiting the water with the assistance of a team member.]
The Research and Development Tax Incentive totally is on our radar. It's something that we're looking into very closely.
[Visual: Cut back to Tua, looking directly at the camera.]
I think that all businesses that are in research and development do take the time to look in and take up that information.
Working with other Māori and Pasifika businesses and being part of that network is so special.
You know, we're innovators, we're academics, we're out in the environment, and we love it.
[Visual: Cut back to Tua in the office.]
So, I encourage all Māori and Pasifika businesses to reach out to find out more. Because it's all about the network, and you'll be very surprised what you find.
[Visual: Close up shot of Tua smiling and gesturing.]
It's about relationships. It's about partnerships. It's about seeing deep into the future and not just being transactional at all.
[Visual: A picture of New Zealand floats down on the screen, pointing out the different regional partners, and recommending getting in touch. Black background with white text logo: ‘Regional Business Partner Network’ appears centrally.]
[Audio: Music swells slightly.]
[Visual: Black background with New Zealand Government Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment logos displayed in white.]
[Audio: Music fades out.].
The company has been recognised through the High-Tech Awards Māori Company of the Year award in 2025, reflecting both its innovation and its commitment to values-led business.
Deep Dive Division continues to build its capability, using technology and R&D to increase its impact across environmental and commercial projects.
Their story shows that with the right support; innovative ideas can go further.
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