Phil Sirvid

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

Books

Te Papa Te Taiao Nature Series: Native Spiders of Aotearoa
A handy introduction to the unique spiders of Aotearoa.
The Incredible Insects of Aotearoa
A fun, fascinating and revealing book about the strange and wonderful critters of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Te Papa Te Taiao Nature Series: Native Insects of Aotearoa
A handy introduction to the unique insects of Aotearoa New Zealand, for the backyard, bach and backpack.
Why is That Spider Dancing? The Amazing Arachnids of Aotearoa
A fun, fascinating and revealing book about Aotearoa’s amazing eight-legged marvels

The Ten-Question Q&A with the authors of The Incredible Insects of Aotearoa
Simon Pollard and Phil Sirvid discuss The Incredible Insects of Aotearoa with Te Papa Press.
Native Insects of Aotearoa: Author biographies and 10 questions
Julia Kasper and Phil Sirvid discuss ‘Native Insects of Aotearoa’ with Te Papa Press.
Why is That Spider Dancing?: author biographies and interview
Simon Pollard and Phil Sirvid, the authors of Why is That Spider Dancing?, discuss their work with Te Papa Press