Diamond-shaped fins run almost the entire length of its body. This gives the broad squid its name and distinctive swimming style. Unlike the arrow squid, which jets through open water, the broad squid glides. Its fins undulate slowly. It propels itself over rocky reefs and seagrass beds with a graceful, hovering motion. It is the reef-dweller of the squid world. Built for manoeuvrability rather than speed, it navigates complex environments with ease. Precision matters more than velocity here. Colour shifts across its body in waves. One moment it is pale silver, blending with surface light. The next, dark brown bars appear, matching shadows between rocks. The broad squid controls this transformation with its nervous system. It expands and contracts specialised skin cells called chromatophores. Colour serves multiple purposes. It communicates with other squid. It startles predators. It allows disappearance against the reef. The change happens in fractions of a second. Speed is essential. Camouflage is survival. Sheltered harbours and clear estuaries provide preferred habitat. The broad squid lives from Northland to Otago. Abundance peaks in areas with seagrass meadows and kelp forests. During the day, it hovers just above the reef. It searches for small fish and crustaceans. At night, it retreats to deeper water. Hiding in crevices offers safety from seals and larger fish that hunt by sight. Darkness brings different dangers. Depth provides cover. Recreational fishers target the broad squid from wharves and boats. Squid jigs, weighted lures with barbed rings, are the tool of choice. Best fishing occurs at dawn and dusk. The squid come into shallow water to feed. Catch is used as bait for snapper and kingfish. Or it is eaten fresh. Flesh is firm, white, and mild. It is excellent when quickly fried or grilled. Taste follows function. Bycatch in set nets and trawls takes a toll. But the broad squid's short lifespan allows populations to recover from localised declines. A single female produces thousands of eggs. They hatch into tiny paralarvae that drift with currents. Those that survive grow rapidly. Adult size is reached within a year. Breeding follows. Eggs are laid. Death arrives. The entire cycle completes in less than twenty-four months. Time is short. Reproduction is urgent. Habitat loss poses a longer-term threat. Seagrass meadows are disappearing from New Zealand's harbours and estuaries. Coastal development, pollution, and boat anchors destroy them. Without seagrass, the broad squid loses nursery grounds. It loses hunting habitat. The species remains stable for now. But its future depends on the health of shallow, sheltered waters it calls home. Stability is fragile. Protection is necessary. The Māori name Ngu refers to its soft, boneless body. In traditional times, broad squid were caught by hand in shallow water. Or they were speared from rocks. They were eaten fresh or dried. Ink was used as a dye. Today, they are still caught. Still eaten. Still a familiar presence in clear water of northern harbours. Tradition persists. Practice continues.