The Incredible Insects of Aotearoa
A fun, fascinating and revealing book about the strange and wonderful critters of Aotearoa New Zealand.
By Simon Pollard and Phil Sirvid
Publication: May 2025
Pages: 128
Format: Paperback
ISBN:
978-1-99-107203-0
RRP: $35
Buy The Incredible Insects of Aotearoa
What do you call a grasshopper dressed as a gladiator? Why are sandfly bites so itchy? What links insects and Māori whakairo? How does a glow worm glow? Why does this book include sorcerers, vampires and dragons? What makes insects in Aotearoa so special?
From our backyards to high in the mountains, through forests, along coastlines, and in the darkness of caves, award-winning science writer Simon Pollard and Te Papa insect expert Phil Sirvid answer these questions and more.
Share in the secrets and marvels of our natural world through stunning close-up photographs, mātauranga Māori, insightful explanations, and meet-the-expert profiles.
Review highlights
The Source, by Trevor Agnew. “The Incredible Insects of Aotearoa is tailor-made to captivate young readers. Both authors, Simon Pollard and Phil Sirvid, are insect experts who have the ability to convey their enthusiasm in clear, simple prose.”
DustyShelves Book Reviews and BookBits, by Terry Toner. “I for one am glad this book will reside in my library – it just has so much to offer the emerging mind to all that is possible in one small country at the bottom of the world.”
Bobs Book Blog. “This publication is full of interesting facts and would be an essential purchase for school libraries. The best non-fiction book I have read this year.”
What Book Next?, by Adele Broadbent. "A must for book shelves across Aotearoa New Zealand."
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr Simon Pollard is a spider biologist and award-winning natural history photographer and writer. He has written and illustrated a number of children’s books. His previous books published by Te Papa Press, are Why is That Spider Dancing? (2021) co-written with Phil Sirvid and short-listed for the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, Why Is That Lake So Blue? (2018) and The Genius of Bugs (2017), also shortlisted for the Children’s book awards. Simon has also been an advisor, scriptwriter and presenter on a number of natural history documentaries, including the BBC’s Planet Earth. Since 2009, Simon has been Adjunct Professor of Science Communication at the University of Canterbury.
Dr Phil Sirvid is Curator Invertebrates in the Natural History Team at Te Papa. Phil has looked after the insect and arachnid collections and been involved in science outreach at Te Papa for over 30 years. He has contributed to the Te Papa Press titles Why is That Spider Dancing?, 100 Natural History Treasures of Te Papa, and Nature—Stilled, and more recently co-authored Native Insects of Aotearoa – part of the Te Papa Te Taiao Nature Series. Along with Simon, Phil has also curated the blockbuster science exhibition Bug Lab.
