This week Phil has photographed a creature so rare that it has only been seen a few times.
Flatworm (Platyhelminths).
"The image is not quite as good as I would like," says Phil, "but this flatworm is so rare that it has only been seen a few times all north of Taupo."
This species that Phil has photographed is so rare that it does not yet have a name. "I have now seen it four times in the last two years all in the same place. This one was about 250mm long with a red brown pointed head. Just last week I found a black one with a white strip down its back and white around the edges which had a long narrow neck to its head, this one seem to be a bit different to anything I can find on the net."
Maungatautari Ecological Island has 47kms of predator proof fencing encircling some 3400 hectares and is largely pest-free. "By keeping the pest off Maungatautari we are now starting to see some unusual insects," says Phil.
For more information on Maungatautari Ecological Island visit their website or their facebook page.
To see more of Phil's work check out his website.