Subscribe to The NZUA And Support the Underwater Community

Packed with the latest diving news, events and deals, the NZUA newsletter is a monthly must-read for all those passionate about the New Zealand underwater realm.
Subscribers directly support NZ Underwater's activities in the marine environment, help leverage govt. funding for safety campaigning and grow participation across the sector.

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new zealand underwater

Join NZ Underwater

New Zealand's recognised leading not-for-profit organisation promoting and advocating safe* and enjoyable underwater activities in a protected marine environment.

Key Missions.

Drivers of marine safety messaging specifically where it relates to underwater sports and activities.

Promoting participation in underwater sports and recreational activities throughout New Zealand.

Advocating and supporting marine environmental campaigns.

Supporting NZ Underwater clubs, specifically those involved in scuba diving and snorkeling,spearfishing and underwater hockey.

marine environment

Environment.

The NZU is an advocate for clean sea programs, supporting environmental campaigns with volunteers and expertise.

Get Involved
diver safety

Safety.

NZU flies the flag for diver safety in New Zealand, managing essential services like the Dive Emergency number (DES).

Dive Safe
underwater sports

Sports.

Many of our members a keen sports people engaged in scuba, spearfishing underwater hockey or snorkeling.

Get Wet

NZ Underwater People

The NZUA's board is elected annually at an AGM, and generally reflects key-stakeholder groups of diving, water-sports and safety.

Tristan Reynard

Tristan Reynard

Tristan brings significant volunteer and sports management experience to NZU Board. He is a past president of Underwater Hockey New Zealand (UWHNZ) as well as being UWHNZ’s schools development officer.Tristan’s day-to-day employment is as the Project Director at TKR Consultants Ltd. Tristan is a graduate of University of Canterbury and a Chartered Professional.

Andy Stewart

Andy Stewart

Andy’s diving experiences began snorkeling as a 7 year old hanging on to his father’s spearfishing float line.  With a passion for introducing people to the underworld he eventually became a PADI dive instructor and in 2014 a PADI Course Director, PADI’s highest recreational instructor rating.  

When not blowing bubbles Andy works as the GM Information & Technology for the Selwyn Foundation, a non for profit aged-care are organisation.

Stuart Bilbrough

Stuart Bilbrough

Stuart has worked in finance across the globe for more than 30 years in a variety of industries, including FMCG, logistics, telecoms, financial services and health. Notable companies include PricewaterhouseCoopers, Fonterra, Deutsche Bank and American Express. He is currently the CEO at  a specialist health and aged care provider for elderly and disabled New Zealanders.

Stuart is a NZ Chartered Accountant, holding a Bachelor of Commerce from Lincoln University and an MBA from Massey University. Stuart gained scuba certification with NZUA in 1984, later qualifying as a BSAC Club Instructor, Technical Diving International (TDI) nitrox and extended range diver, and is a qualified cave diver.

Tom Karstensen

Tom Karstensen

Born in Norway and raised in New Zealand, Tom has a strong connection with the ocean from birth, and enjoys diving, spearfishing, sailing, and fishing. Tom has had a varied professional life, gathering a wide range of experience in the built environment, business strategy and governance support across several industries in New Zealand and Australia. Graduating with a Bachelor of Forestry Science in 2012, Tom began work in that sector before cutting his own path by starting, building, and exiting several small businesses.

From 2017 to 2020, Tom worked primarily in property consulting between Christchruch, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, and continues to work in the property sector today. In 2021 Tom became the President of the Nelson Underwater Club and has been working with a wonderful and engaged committee to breathe new life into the club. Tom is currently studying his Masters in Property Practice at Auckland University.

Warrick Powrie

Warrick Powrie

Warrick Powrie started scuba diving in 1988. Warrick has always been passionate about marine conservation and underwater photography. Warrick gained a Diploma of Applied Science marine studies in 2003 and worked as Advanced Technical Officer for the University of Waikato for 16 years, he was the Diving Officer for 6 year and a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer since 2011.

Warrick Has been awarded the Queen Elizbeth II, Technicians award twice, gained Ice Diver instructor rating in Canada.and has undertaken diving operations in Antarctica.

Warrick regularly volunteers for Coral Reef conservation in Niue and Vanuatu,donating over 350 sets of Masks fins and snorkels to children of Epi island. Warrick  has been a rescue diver for New Zealand power boat association as well as offshore powerboat racing, and Westpac trust helicopter rescue.

Warrick now contracts as a scientific diver and SRL skipper.

Jenny Craig

Jenny Craig

Jenny qualified with a media arts degree and has spent most of her career in advertising.

I qualified diver Jenny believes there is no place more relaxing than underwater.  She prefers to dive and snorkel in warm water preferably with lots of pretty creatures to look at. Jenny manages our publishing or commercial side of the business and ensures our partnerships are mutually beneficial. She creates campaigns for advertisers and ensures their Dive Pacific activity meets objectives.

Alongside this she helps strengthen partnerships for NZUA ensuring they feel supported and helping where she can. Most of this work advocates for safe and enjoyable underwater activities in a protected marine environment which is the organisations purpose.

If you are interested in working with Dive Pacific or NZUA please contact Jenny -

Mobile: 021890250