In early 1953 a keen group of North Shore spear fishermen formed as a spear fishing club with scuba diving emerging as an activity within the club later in the year. From this group The Dolphin Underwater Club was formed in 1954 and is now the oldest continually running scuba club in New Zealand.

Over the years the Lake Pupuke-based club has remained very active with the emphasis gradually changing to a wide range of dive and adventure-related activities, and becoming more concerned with environmental issues.
The club has had some members excelling in underwater photography, taking out some major photographic awards.
Club Members, Jenny and Tony Enderby are very successful freelance photojournalists contributing to over 70 magazines in ten different countries throughout the world. Tony and Jenny are publishing a new book titled ‘Volunteer Voices’.
Today the club operates as the NZ Dolphin Underwater and Adventure Club with the inclusion of activities to cater for the non-diving partners, family and friends of members. With tramping, camping, mountain biking, kayaking, sailing, overseas holidays, dining out and many other activities mixed in with a wide range of organised dives mostly around the northern New Zealand coast, the most popular being the Poor Knights, especially for underwater photography. Members also take on environmental issues with regular cleanups of rivers, reefs, harbours and Lake Pupuke, and volunteer on a regular basis to assist with Experiencing Marine Reserves.
The club prides itself on their safety record; encouraging divers to continue their education to keep themselves out of trouble and to be there to help others in case they may need it. They also support the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Project Jonah, Coastguard, Young Ocean Explorers and Experiencing Marine Reserves - Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, and they’re affiliated with the NZ Underwater Association. The club’s kayaking trips venture from Lake Pupuke and North Head to as far afield as the Bay of Islands including some exciting South Island kayaking trips.
Mountain biking is a much-enjoyed part of the club with regular trips to Woodhill State Forest and the Hunua Ranges, also the Redwood Forest in Rotorua and doing the 42nd Traverse in National Park. The famous Otago Rail Trail in the South Island is also a club favourite.
Some recent club tramping trips have been to the Pinnacles in Coromandel, walking into and staying at Dacre Cottage, Whatipu, Waitakeres, Mt Te Aroha, Mt Ruapehu and the Tongariro Crossing.
Along with all the other diving and fun activities over the years, there have been members enjoying many overseas dive trips together, the latest in June to the Philippines, the club's third trip there.
The club has club rooms at Lake Pupuke, Northcote Road Extension, Takapuna. Members meet every second Wednesday of the month at 7pm and have regular guest speakers. New members are always welcome.
The NZ Dolphin Underwater and Adventure Club celebrates its 70th anniversary with an event at the Milford Cruising Club on Saturday 19 October.

For more information visit: dolphinunderwater.co.nz