The Incredible Insects of Aotearoa

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 Taiao Nature series. Along with Simon, Phil has also curated the blockbuster science exhibition Bug Lab.