The discovery of a rare mainland population of the Raukawa gecko (Woodworthia maculata) in the southern part of the Auckland region has sent ripples of excitement through the conservation community.

These omnivores play a vital role in pollination and seed dispersal as they consume nectar and fruit, and a significant find of the gecko could suggest a potentially thriving population in an area where they were thought to be extinct.

Chair of the Planning and Policy Committee Councillor Richard Hills says ecological work is invaluable.

“The data gained in these surveys helps us keep track of our reptile populations and allows us to work to manage threats and restore environments so they can survive. The report of a Raukawa gecko is an exciting development.

“Knowing which species are living in our neighbourhoods supports local conservation efforts through native plantings and predator control.

“Finding a New Zealand forest gecko in my own backyard on the North Shore this year highlights the amazing work done by volunteers and council in our communities, and is a reminder that we need to do more to protect all our native species”

The project, a collaboration between Auckland Council’s Regional Parks and Environmental Services teams, aims to determine the gecko’s population size, distribution, and overall status in the area. This will start with an ecological survey to confirm the finding.

Auckland Council’s Senior Ecologist Melinda Rixon says it is an incredible discovery.

“While Raukawa geckos are widespread on pest-free islands, mainland populations are exceedingly rare due to predation and habitat destruction.

“Finding them here gives us a rare opportunity to learn more about their resilience and consider what conservation efforts might be necessary to protect them.”

The recent survey carried out follows an initial sighting in 2023 by ecologist Miranda Bennett, who first spotted the gecko while undertaking weed control work in the area. This prompted further investigation into whether this was a lone survivor or part of a larger, hidden population.

“This is why we do what we do,” says Miranda Bennett, who is now Programme Manager for work funded by the Natural Environment Targeted Rate.

“The chance to rediscover a species in a place where we didn’t think it existed anymore is exciting. It also highlights the value of protecting and restoring these unique ecosystems,” adds Miranda.

The site being surveyed is also home to several other threatened reptile species, including the at-risk shore skink (Oligosoma smithi), as well as ornate skinks and copper skinks. The survey is equally focused on gathering information on these species to inform future conservation and management strategies.

As the survey draws to a close, just two geckos have been sighted and tagged.

“It’s a little disappointing; we were hoping to find more. A couple of lonely geckos doesn’t bode well for a mainland population,” says Miranda.

Conservation challenges and survey methods

While the Raukawa gecko has a national status of ‘Not Threatened,’ it is classified as ‘At Risk – Regionally Recovering’ within Auckland due to its absence from most mainland sites.

If there is a population in the area, its existence will challenge our understanding of the species’ mainland distribution and raises questions about its long-term survival prospects; the main threats to geckos include predation from invasive mammals and habitat degradation.

To investigate the population, the research team set up multiple survey divides using Artificial Cover Objects (ACOs) to attract and monitor geckos.

Additionally, tracking tunnels, typically used for pest monitoring, were employed to detect gecko footprints, which are easily distinguished from skink footprints.

The team conducted five separate checks over the two-week period of the survey to collect data on the population.

The unique world of the Raukawa gecko

Raukawa geckos are nocturnal but sometimes cryptically bask in sunlight during the day in plain sight, near their retreats.

Unlike their tropical counterparts, which may only live a couple of years, geckos in New Zealand can survive for up to 60 years.

This long lifespan, however, comes with slow reproduction rates - geckos take years to mature and give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. In colder conditions, they can even delay giving birth until temperatures are more favourable.

Another fascinating adaptation of these geckos is their remarkable sticky feet, which allow them to scale vertical surfaces and even walk upside down.

Their ability to drop their tails, known as caudal autonomy, is another survival tactic. If a predator attacks, the gecko can detach its tail, which wriggles distractingly while the gecko makes a swift escape. Although the tail regrows, it never quite matches the original—it is shorter, often differently coloured, and structurally distinct.

Protecting a precious population

The presence of the Raukawa gecko and the shore skink highlights the biodiversity value of this undisclosed southern Auckland Council regional park, which is already recognised as a Biodiversity Focus Area (BFA) due to its rare coastal ecosystem.

The park provides critical habitat for at-risk species, including the shore skink and the threatened plant Senecio scaberulus (fireweed). Conservation efforts at the site focus on habitat restoration and predator management to ensure these species thrive in the coming decades.

“Finding a mainland population of Raukawa geckos would be a game-changer for our conservation efforts,” says Melinda.

“The discovery would underscore the importance of continued monitoring and protection of our natural spaces. Who knows what else we might find?”

For now, the survey team is keeping the exact location under wraps to protect the geckos from poaching or disturbance.

The public is encouraged to support conservation efforts by respecting protected areas and reporting any native lizard sightings to local conservation groups.

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