Imagine walking through your Wellington home, minding your own business, when suddenly you spot a massive spider scuttling across the wall. It’s not just any spider—it’s a huntsman, known for its size and speed. For some Wellington locals, this isn’t just a creepy thought; it’s becoming real life. Two huntsman spider sightings, nine months apart, have popped up in the city, and experts are starting to think these eight-legged visitors might be settling in. Let’s dive into what’s happening, why it matters, and what it could mean for Wellington.
Back in early 2024, a huntsman spider was found in a shipping container at Wellington’s busy CentrePort. It wasn’t a local—it had hitched a ride all the way from Australia. These spiders are common over there, but not so much here in New Zealand. Fast forward to November 2024, and another huntsman turned up, this time in a Karori garage. That’s two sightings in less than a year, and they’ve got people talking. Could these Aussie spiders be making Wellington their new home?
Dr. Phil Sirvid, a spider expert from Te Papa museum in Wellington, says these sightings are a bit unusual. Huntsman spiders aren’t native to New Zealand—they usually sneak in with cargo from Australia. Normally, they don’t survive long here because our climate is cooler and wetter than they like. But two sightings so close together? That’s got Dr. Sirvid wondering if something’s changing. “It’s not proof they’re setting up shop,” he says, “but it’s enough to make us pay attention.”
So, what’s a huntsman spider like? Picture this: a big, flat spider with long legs that can stretch out to 15 centimetres wide—about the size of your hand. They’re fast movers, too, darting around instead of spinning webs like other spiders. In Australia, they’re famous for popping up in cars or houses, giving people a fright. They don’t usually bite unless you bother them, and even then, it’s not a big deal—just a bit of swelling or itchiness. Still, seeing one race across your lounge in Wellington would definitely make your heart skip a beat!
The first sighting at CentrePort wasn’t too surprising. Ports are hotspots for sneaky stowaways—bugs, spiders, you name it—hiding in shipments. Wellington’s port sees heaps of goods from Australia, so a huntsman turning up there makes sense. Workers found it in a container, probably tired from its long trip across the Tasman Sea. But the second sighting in Karori? That’s a different story. Karori’s a leafy suburb, full of gardens and quiet streets—not exactly a shipping hub. How did a huntsman end up there?
One idea is that it came from something delivered to the area—like a package or furniture from Australia. Another thought is that it might’ve travelled from the port somehow, maybe in a truck or a car. Dr. Sirvid says it’s hard to know for sure without more clues. What’s got him curious, though, is that nine months is a decent gap. If these spiders were just random one-offs, you’d expect them to die off quickly in Wellington’s chilly weather. The fact there’s another sighting suggests they might be tougher than we thought—or that more are sneaking in.
Wellington’s climate isn’t exactly a huntsman’s dream. They love warm, dry places like Aussie forests or deserts. Here, we’ve got windy days, rainy spells, and cooler temperatures, especially in winter. But summers can get pretty warm—think late 20s or even low 30s Celsius some days. Places like Karori, with its sheltered valleys and sunny spots, might just be cosy enough for a huntsman to hang out. Plus, Wellington homes are full of nooks and crannies—perfect hiding spots for a spider looking to stay out of trouble.
Could they start breeding here? That’s the big question. For huntsman spiders to properly settle in Wellington, they’d need to find mates and lay eggs. Females can carry dozens of eggs in a sac, and if those eggs hatch, you could see little huntsmen scurrying around. Dr. Sirvid says there’s no sign of that yet—no baby spiders or egg sacs have been spotted. But he adds, “If we keep seeing them, especially in the same areas, it might mean they’re getting comfortable.” Two sightings aren’t enough to call it a takeover, but they’re a hint that we should keep an eye out.
What about the people of Wellington? Reactions are all over the place. Some folks are freaked out—imagine finding a hand-sized spider in your garage! One Karori resident, who didn’t want her name shared, said she nearly dropped her coffee when she saw it. “It was huge and so fast—I didn’t know what to do!” she told local reporters. Others are more chilled. A CentrePort worker shrugged it off, saying, “We see weird stuff in containers all the time. It’s just part of the job.” On social media, Wellingtonians are having a laugh about it, with jokes like, “First Aussie tourists, now Aussie spiders—guess we’re popular!”
So, should Wellingtonians be worried? Not really, says Dr. Sirvid. Huntsman spiders aren’t dangerous—they’re more likely to run away than pick a fight. If you find one, the best thing to do is trap it under a glass or a bowl, slide some cardboard underneath, and let it loose outside. They’re not out to get you; they just want to eat bugs like cockroaches or flies. In fact, having a huntsman around could be handy if you’ve got a pest problem! Still, nobody wants a surprise spider sprinting across their kitchen floor.
Looking ahead, these sightings might mean more huntsmen are on their way. Wellington’s a busy city with heaps of trade links to Australia, so it’s not hard to imagine more sneaking in. Climate change could play a part, too. As temperatures creep up, New Zealand might start feeling more like home to these warm-loving spiders. Dr. Sirvid thinks it’s worth studying—tracking where they pop up, how long they survive, and whether they’re spreading. “Two sightings don’t make a colony,” he says, “but they’re a heads-up that things could shift.”
For Wellington locals, it’s a bit of a wake-up call. We’re used to our own wildlife—kiwis, tuis, and the odd weta—but huntsman spiders add a new twist. Some might see them as unwanted guests; others might think they’re a cool addition to the neighbourhood. Either way, they’re sparking chatter around town. Next time you’re in Karori or near the waterfront, keep an eye out—you might just spot one of these speedy Aussies making itself at home.
What’s the next step? Experts like Dr. Sirvid want people to report sightings. If you see a big, fast spider with long legs, snap a photo if you can and let Te Papa know. It helps them figure out if huntsmen are just passing through or sticking around. For now, two sightings in nine months are a fun mystery—enough to raise eyebrows but not enough to panic. Wellington’s got bigger worries, like the wind knocking over your wheelie bin, right?
Still, it’s worth thinking about what this could mean long-term. If huntsman spiders do settle in, they’d join a long list of creatures that’ve made New Zealand home—like possums or rabbits from way back. They’re not likely to take over the city or anything dramatic, but they could carve out a little niche. Imagine a future where spotting a huntsman in your shed is no big deal—just another part of Wellington life. Sounds wild, but it’s not impossible.
For now, the huntsman story is just beginning. Two spiders, two different spots, nine months apart—it’s not a full-on invasion, but it’s got people curious. Wellington’s a city that’s always changing, from new cafes popping up on Courtenay Place to quirky critters turning up in Karori. Whether these huntsmen are here for a quick visit or a permanent stay, they’re definitely giving us something to talk about. So, next time you’re tidying the garage or unpacking a box, take a peek. You might just meet one of Wellington’s newest residents—and who knows, maybe they’re not so bad after all.
