There are 48 described endemic species of geckos in Aotearoa. There are further categorized into seven genera: Hoplodactylus only containing a single species Duvacel’s gecko the largest of the endemics. The Naultinus or green geckos. Mokopirirakau or forest geckos with 13 known species. Toropuku or striped geckos of which there are only 2. Dactylocnemis, 6 ‘Pacific’ geckos. Woodworthia, the largest genus with 14 species all grey/brown in colour with broad toes and finally the Harlequin gecko of the monotypic genus (only a single species) Tukutuku. Abbreviated from the Department of Conservation info page found here. Further information may be found on the New Zealand Herpetological Society webpage.

Pacific gecko, *Dactylocnemis pacificus*

Northern striped gecko, *Torupuku inexpectatus*

Raukawa or common gecko, *Woodworthia maculata*

Duvacel’s gecko, *Hoplodactylus duvaucelii*

Black-eyed gecko, *Mokopirirakau glaxias*

Black-eyed gecko or Whitaker’s sticky-toed gecko, *Mokopirirakau kahutarae*

Forest gecko, *Mokopirirakau granulatus*

Moko kākāriki, Auckland green gecko, *Naulitnus elegans*

Oligosoma, genus of endemic skinks of Aotearoa. Approximately 78 described species but there’s likely to be further discoveries.

Erin Forsyth

Website of artist & illustrator Erin Forsyth