We have a winner

Congratulations goes to Amanda Viana of Arrowtown.

When you answer the phone and someone says 'Are you sitting down?', you are not quite sure what to expect. But I realised when I heard that I had won this fantastic holiday prize by filling in the New Zealand Underwater Association Diver Survey, that sitting down was the last thing I felt like doing!
The competition had been off the radar and I had completely forgotten I had entered. Never in a million years did I imagine I would win. I actually started walking round in circles; I was literally shaking and had goosebumps when I heard the news. The first thing I did after the call ended was to ring my husband. He said to me 'Are you sure this is not a scam?' (as did many people)! Neither of us had been to the Pacific Islands before and we couldn't quite believe it!

"The first thing I did after the call ended was to ring my husband."

A little about Amanda

About me...Diving was my whole life for a few years! I learnt to dive in Egypt, and became a Dive Instructor in Thailand, where I lived and worked for a year and a half. Diving had been a dream of mine for many years and I went on to work in Mexico on the Pacific side. While there, I was involved with turtle conservation. My philosophy was always a 'no touch no take' one so conservation has always been a part of my diving career.
I continued my journey to become an IDC Staff Instructor in the late 2000s in Invercargill, where I dived in the lower South Island lakes, rivers, Fiordland and Stewart Island. I was even lucky enough to experience ice diving under Lake Alta on the Remarkables. Underwater cleanups in Lake Wakatipu were also something I enjoyed very much.

I have always had an affinity for the ocean and loved water, and it was a bit like a heartbreak once I stopped diving professionally. Since having kids (and living in the mountains), it's pretty much only been snorkelling. I am super excited to have the opportunity to get back into some warm tropical waters.

I would like to say a huge thank you to NZUA and Dive Pacific for providing the Diver survey and the fantastic holiday prize. I hope to be able to take my kids so they can also learn to dive and experience the wonders of the underwater world like I have.

Thanks also to Fiji Airways and Volivoli Beach Resort for providing me with this amazing opportunity to enjoy a tropical holiday.
BULA
Amanda

Amanda has won for herself this irresistible prize:

• 5-nights Premium Ocean View villa at Volivoli Beach Resort.
  
• Return flights to Fiji for two adults with Fiji Airways, including 30 kg checked luggage per person, flying from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.
  
• Daily 2 course breakfast, 2 course lunch and 3 course dinner.
  
• Return transfers from Nadi to Volivoli Beach Resort.