In the early 1970s Wade Doak published a book that would become the bible for a generation of divers, Fishes of the New Zealand Region. I have copy # 21. Wade wanted a striking photo of a hāpuku for the cover, but even by then they were rarely seen. He was desperate. By stealth and a dash of luck, he got the photo. It’s undoubtedly the best portrait of a hāpuku ever taken—but see the feature on p34 for more.
It all came together in late June 1970, at a large grotto called The Slot, at the Pinnacles, Wade wrote, recalling “a spawning group of up to 30 hāpuku, ranging in size from 10 to 60 kilograms. The biggest would have measured 1.8 metres.
“At 60 metres I hold my breath. A huge hāpuku is hurtling towards my camera. Knowing how much I needed that photo, my companions watched from behind. I preset the focus at two metres, adjust the flashgun angle and watch through the lens. Closer and closer come the great pointed jaws. At this depth I have only one chance. My life is on a knife-edge. For a split second it is in focus and as I fire it veers aside, offering a more dynamic angle. I had the cover!”
