Diving in Poor Knights Islands

Hapuku (Groper)

General species description, not specific to this destination

Large predatory fish reaching up to 2.5 m. Dark grey-brown body with a lighter belly and a robust, heavy-set appearance. Juveniles are often found near rocky reefs while adults inhabit deeper offshore pinnacles and wrecks. Prized by recreational anglers and spearfishers.

Little Blue Penguin

General species description, not specific to this destination

The world's smallest penguin species, standing only 30 cm tall and weighing about 1 kg. Distinctive slate-blue back and white belly. Nocturnal on land, coming ashore after dusk. Breeds on offshore islands, including the Poor Knights which provide important nesting habitat free from introduced predators.

Southern reef squid

General species description, not specific to this destination

A squid species found in southern Australian and New Zealand waters known for rapid color changes.

Short-tail Stingray

Destination note

Common in summer at Southern Arch and Northern Arch where schools of 10-30+ gather on the sandy floor. Most abundant January through March.

Pink Maomao

General species description, not specific to this destination

Schooling fish with a bright pink-red body and a deeply forked tail. Males develop elongated filamentous fin rays. Forms large aggregations over pinnacles and reef dropoffs. A highlight of diving at Poor Knights, particularly at Northern Arch and the Blue Maomao Arch.

Paua (Black-Footed Abalone)

General species description, not specific to this destination

Large edible sea snail with a distinctive oval shell lined with brilliant iridescent blue-green and pink mother-of-pearl. The foot is black, distinguishing it from other abalone species. Found attached to rocks on shallow exposed reefs. Endemic to New Zealand and culturally significant to Maori.

Cook's Petrel

General species description, not specific to this destination

Medium-sized grey-and-white gadfly petrel with a distinctive dark M-shaped marking across its upper wings. Highly pelagic, returning to land only to breed. Remarkably, approximately 94% of the global population breeds on just two islands: the Poor Knights Islands and Hauturu / Little Barrier Island. The species was extirpated from the mainland by introduced predators.

Gemmed nudibranch

General species description, not specific to this destination

A brightly colored nudibranch found in New Zealand and Australian waters.

Variable deep-water coral

General species description, not specific to this destination

A deep-water coral that forms important reef-like structures in cold, deep waters.

Blue Moki

General species description, not specific to this destination

A large, silver-blue morwong of rocky reefs and surge-swept pinnacles around northern New Zealand. Divers may see adults cruising along wall edges and arch entrances where plankton and small benthic prey concentrate.

Kahawai

Destination note

Common summer visitor near the surface. Often seen at Aorangi Point and Northern Arch when baitfish are present.

Mottled Moray

Destination note

Occasional resident in rocky crevices across the reserve. Most commonly spotted at Tie Dye and The Gardens where sponge gardens provide excellent cover.