New Zealand Native Lizards: Skinks, Geckos & Can You Keep One? (2026)

New Zealand Native Lizards: What Species Live Here and What Does the Law Say?

New Zealand has 147 living native lizard species (geckos and skinks), all found only in New Zealand, and new species are still being discovered (DOC, January 2026). However, all native lizards are fully protected under the Wildlife Act 1953.

You cannot catch, collect, or deliberately disturb native lizards in the wild, nor can you keep them without a DOC Wildlife Act Authorisation. Holding any protected lizard in captivity requires a Wildlife Act Authorisation from DOC. While a General Authorisation exists for certain captive geckos, it covers only listed species in four gecko genera—no skink is on the list. If you are interested in non-native companion reptiles, see our New Zealand reptile legal guide and our guide to beginner reptiles in New Zealand.

Geckos vs Skinks: How to Tell Them Apart

New Zealand's only native lizards are geckos and skinks (DOC):

• Geckos: Geckos have broad heads with large bulging eyes, definite necks, and soft, velvety-looking skin covered in tiny granular scales. Unlike skinks, geckos have no moveable eyelids and cannot blink. Green geckos make a sound more like a "bark".
• Skinks: Skinks are more slender, with narrow heads, small eyes, and smooth, shiny scales.

New Zealand geckos give birth to live young instead of laying eggs; the only other geckos that do this live in New Caledonia. They breed slowly: usually one or two young, many only once a year, and some only every second year.

The NZ Herpetological Society says that, apart from the egg-laying skink (*Oligosoma suteri*), all New Zealand geckos and skinks give birth to live young.

Native Lizards You Might Encounter

Several native species live close to residential areas and parks:

• **Northern Grass Skink (*Oligosoma polychroma*)**: Formerly called the "common skink", this abundant species is commonly encountered in suburban gardens. DOC lists it as Not Threatened and says its straw-coloured iris tells it apart from the similar brown skink.
• **Copper Skink (*Oligosoma aeneum*)**: Found only in the North Island, this is often the first native skink people meet under garden debris or brought inside by a cat. The NZ Herpetological Society lists its status as At Risk – Declining.
• **McCann's Skink (*Oligosoma maccanni*)**: Widespread in the eastern South Island, this diurnal and heliothermic skink is often seen sun-basking and hunting.
• **Raukawa Gecko (*Woodworthia maculata*)**: The "common gecko" is no longer regarded as one species: genetic work shows the *Woodworthia* group is over a dozen regional species (NZ Herpetological Society). The Raukawa gecko is often the first gecko people meet in the wild (particularly in the North Island) and is Not Threatened.
• **Green Geckos (*Naultinus*)**: Green geckos such as the elegant gecko live mainly in trees. The elegant gecko is At Risk – Declining and gives birth to one or two live young a year (NZ Herpetological Society).

Conservation Status and Predation Threats

Of New Zealand's 147 lizard species, 59 (40%) are classed as Threatened, 68 (46%) At Risk, and 16 (11%) Data Deficient; just four species (3%) are Not Threatened (DOC, January 2026).

DOC says the main cause of decline is introduced predators, with habitat loss and invasive species (such as wasps, ants, and frogs, discussed in our NZ frogs guide) also contributing. The biggest threat is predation by invasive mammals, especially mice. DOC lists mice, wasps, rats, mustelids (ferrets, stoats, and weasels), and cats as threats to all lizards.

The Wildlife Act 1953: Legal Protection

The legal rules protecting native lizards are strict:

• Absolute Protection (Section 3): Under section 3 of the Wildlife Act 1953, all wildlife is absolutely protected throughout New Zealand unless listed in Schedules 1 to 5. No native lizard is listed in any schedule of the Act, so all native geckos and skinks are absolutely protected; DOC says the same.
• Captive Animals Included (Section 2): The Act's definition of wildlife includes animals held, hatched, or born in captivity, so captive-bred native lizards remain protected wildlife.
• Crown Ownership (Section 57): Under section 57(3), all wildlife except Schedule 5 wildlife is deemed to be vested in the Crown.
• Prohibited Acts (Section 63): Without lawful authority, no person may hunt or kill absolutely protected wildlife, or buy, sell, otherwise dispose of, or have it in their possession (section 63(1)).
• Penalties (Section 67A): Under section 67A, the maximum penalty for offences involving absolutely protected wildlife is up to 2 years' imprisonment or a fine of up to $100,000 (or both) for an individual, and a fine of up to $200,000 for a body corporate.

Holding Lizards in Captivity: DOC Authorisation

Holding any protected lizard in captivity requires a Wildlife Act Authorisation from DOC:

• General Authorisation Scope: The General Authorisation covers only listed geckos in four genera: *Naultinus* (Northland green, elegant, and barking geckos), *Dactylocnemis*, *Mokopirirakau*, and *Woodworthia*, and their hybrids. No skink is on the list; anyone wanting to hold a species not listed must apply for a standard Wildlife Act Authorisation.
• Eligibility: You must be a New Zealand resident or citizen, aged 16 or older, have a valid physical address where the lizards will be held, and apply as an individual. The current term runs until 31 October 2027.
• Annual Returns: Holders must send DOC an annual return by the end of the first week of November each year, detailing numbers, species, and transfers.
• No Release into the Wild: Holders must not release lizards into the wild. Lizards may only be transferred to another authorised holder or DOC; the NZ Herpetological Society can assist in finding an authorised holder.
• Husbandry: DOC says lizards can live up to 40 years, and proper husbandry needs strict temperature, humidity, and UV lighting control.

What to Do If You Find a Native Lizard

You must not catch, collect, or deliberately disturb a native lizard without a DOC permit—including those living in your garden.

• Sick or Injured Wildlife: If you find one or two sick, injured, or dead native animals, call DOC's 24-hour hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). Do not touch the animal or try to feed or treat it; you cannot keep or care for wildlife without a DOC permit.
• Report Illegal Activity: Report anyone holding lizards without an Authorisation, poaching from the wild, or maintaining poor husbandry to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

Attracting Lizards to Your Garden

To attract lizards naturally, DOC suggests building a warm, sunny "lizard lounge":

• Stack stones, bricks, dead wood, or corrugated iron loosely with gaps (lizards squeeze into holes 5–19 mm wide).
• Plant thickly: DOC names coprosma and kawakawa (fruit), flax, and mānuka and rātā (nectar).
• Limit sprays; if pets might disturb the area, put netting over it.
• Control mice and rats on your property, maintain thick native ground cover, and support a steady supply of insects and spiders. Lizards do not like to be disturbed once settled, so avoid moving the habitat once established.

Wildlife Crime and Smuggling

In December 2025, a man was sentenced in Manukau District Court to 14 months' prison after a DOC, MPI, and Police operation caught him buying jewelled geckos to smuggle overseas. He pleaded guilty to a Wildlife Act charge (buying absolutely protected wildlife) and a second charge of possessing a threatened species with intent to illegally export it. DOC says a single gecko can sell for over $14,000 in Europe.

Invasive Plague Skinks

Not all lizards seen in New Zealand are protected natives. The plague (rainbow) skink is an Australian species first recorded in Auckland during the 1960s—it is not native. For identification and legal rules, see our plague skink NZ guide.

Sources

• Department of Conservation: More lizard species report (January 2026) — https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2026-media-releases/more-lizard-species-many-in-peril-report-shows/
• Department of Conservation: Lizards in New Zealand — https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/reptiles-and-frogs/lizards/
• Department of Conservation: About geckos — https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/reptiles-and-frogs/lizards/geckos/about-geckos/
• Department of Conservation: Common skink — https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/reptiles-and-frogs/lizards/skinks/common-skink/
• Department of Conservation: Holding lizards in captivity — https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/apply-for-permits/interacting-with-wildlife/holding-lizards-in-captivity/
• Department of Conservation: Attract lizards to your garden — https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/conservation-activities/attract-lizards-to-your-garden/
• Department of Conservation: Sick, injured and dead wildlife — https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/sick-injured-and-dead-wildlife/
• Department of Conservation: Smuggler caught with rare gecko (December 2025) — https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2025-media-releases/smuggler-caught-green-handed-with-rare-native-gecko/
• Department of Conservation: Plague skinks — https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests-and-threats/plague-skinks/
• NZ Herpetological Society: General lizard information — https://reptiles.org.nz/node/45
• NZ Herpetological Society: Northern grass skink — https://reptiles.org.nz/node/233
• NZ Herpetological Society: Copper skink — https://www.reptiles.org.nz/herpetofauna/native/oligosoma-aeneum
• NZ Herpetological Society: McCann's skink — https://www.reptiles.org.nz/herpetofauna/native/oligosoma-maccanni
• NZ Herpetological Society: Woodworthia group — https://www.reptiles.org.nz/node/288
• NZ Herpetological Society: Raukawa gecko — https://www.reptiles.org.nz/node/24
• NZ Herpetological Society: Elegant gecko — https://reptiles.org.nz/node/56
• Wildlife Act 1953 (Whole Act) — https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1953/0031/latest/DLM276814.html
• Wildlife Act 1953 Section 3 — https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1953/0031/latest/DLM277090.html
• Wildlife Act 1953 Section 63 — https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1953/0031/latest/DLM278140.html
• Wildlife Act 1953 Section 67A — https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1953/0031/latest/DLM278179.html