
Te Papa Te Taiao Nature Series: Native Spiders of Aotearoa
A handy introduction to the unique spiders of Aotearoa.
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Open every day 10am-6pm
(except Christmas Day)
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Dr Phil Sirvid is Curator Invertebrates in the Natural History Team at Te Papa. He has a broad general knowledge of New Zealand entomology but specialises in the arachnids, particularly spiders and harvesters. He is a former president of the Entomological Society of New Zealand. Phil has contributed to numerous Te Papa Press publications including 100 Natural History Treasures of Te Papa (2019) and Nature — Stilled (2020). He co-authored Why is that Spider Dancing? The Amazing Arachnids of Aotearoa (2021) and The Incredible Insects of Aotearoa (2025) with Simon Pollard and Native Insects of Aotearoa (2023) with Julia Kasper. His forthcoming book, Native Spiders of Aotearoa, will join the Te Papa Te Taiao Nature Series in October 2025.
Curator Vertebrates Dr Phil Sirvid. Te Papa
A handy introduction to the unique spiders of Aotearoa.
A fun, fascinating and revealing book about the strange and wonderful critters of Aotearoa New Zealand.
A handy introduction to the unique insects of Aotearoa New Zealand, for the backyard, bach and backpack.
A fun, fascinating and revealing book about Aotearoa’s amazing eight-legged marvels
Simon Pollard and Phil Sirvid discuss The Incredible Insects of Aotearoa with Te Papa Press.
Julia Kasper and Phil Sirvid discuss ‘Native Insects of Aotearoa’ with Te Papa Press.
Simon Pollard and Phil Sirvid, the authors of Why is That Spider Dancing?, discuss their work with Te Papa Press