On 1 July 2025, NIWA merged with GNS Science to become Earth Sciences New Zealand.

Crispin Middleton Toado Selfie

Crispin Middleton

Scientific Diver, Crispin Middleton is surrounded by panicked Starry Toado Pufferfish at the Poor Knights Marine Reserve. The Starry Toado are a rarely seen pelagic pufferfish that usually live in deep, blue, open water. On very rare occasions, the fish stray too close to land and immediately get attacked by hungry kingfish and snapper. The panicked fish seek shelter around anything in the water, in this case, it was me.