Pet Breed Guide NZ
Tokay Gecko
The Tokay Gecko is not legally keepable in New Zealand due to biosecurity laws; this page details the regulations and legal reptile alternatives.
Photo Gallery
NZ Ownership Snapshot
Prohibited in NZ- Noise Level
- loud
- Social Needs
- solitary
- Diet Type
- Insectivorous
- UVB Required
- Yes
Tokay Geckos cannot be legally imported or kept as pets in New Zealand. MPI does not allow reptiles to be imported as pets (only some reptiles for zoos), and under the HSNO Act 1996 a species not present in NZ before 29 July 1998 is a "new organism" that cannot be imported or released without EPA approval. Tokay Geckos are not part of New Zealand's pet trade.
Breed Snapshot
- Size
- medium
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Origin
- Southeast Asia
- Care Focus
- Enclosure-focused reptile with handling tolerance and activity needs that should be checked in a species-specific care guide.
- NZ Price
- NOT AVAILABLE IN NZ — prohibited species, no lawful source or price
Personality Scores
NZ Lifestyle Fit
Not legal to keep as a pet in NZ. MPI does not allow snakes or other reptiles to be imported as pets (only some reptiles for zoos); other than cats and dogs, only rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas can be imported as pets. Under the HSNO Act 1996, a species not present in NZ immediately before 29 July 1998 is a "new organism" that cannot be imported or released without EPA approval (s2A, s25), and knowingly, recklessly or negligently possessing one imported in breach of the Act is an offence (s109). Sources: mpi.govt.nz (Bringing pets to NZ other than cats and dogs); legislation.govt.nz (HSNO Act 1996). Checked 29 September 2026.
No — you cannot legally keep, buy, or breed a Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) in New Zealand. While these large, vocal, and brightly coloured geckos are highly popular among reptile keepers globally, they are strictly prohibited under New Zealand's rigorous biosecurity laws. Tokay Geckos are not part of New Zealand's pet trade, and they cannot be imported as pets.
Why Tokay Geckos are not legal in NZ
Under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996, a species that was not present in New Zealand immediately before 29 July 1998 is a "new organism". A new organism cannot be imported or released without an approval from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), and knowingly, recklessly or negligently possessing one that was imported in breach of the Act is an offence.
Separately, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) does not allow snakes or other reptiles to be imported as pets (only some reptiles for zoos), so there is no lawful way to bring a Tokay Gecko into New Zealand as a pet. The species is not on the EPA's list of prohibited organisms (organisms, such as snakes and venomous reptiles, that can never be approved), but that does not make it legal to import or keep.
The Tokay Gecko is also absent from the New Zealand Herpetological Society's list of exotics commonly kept in New Zealand — the NZHS is a hobby society, not a regulator, so that list is not an approval list. New Zealand's native geckos (such as the forest gecko or green gecko) are highly vulnerable to introduced predators and pathogens.
Tokay Geckos are large, aggressive, and highly predatory lizards that eat insects, small rodents, and other lizards. If they were to escape and establish in the wild, they would directly prey upon and compete with New Zealand’s endangered native geckos. Furthermore, they carry risks of transmitting foreign reptile parasites and viruses.
What if someone offers you one?
Since Tokay Geckos cannot be lawfully imported as pets and are not part of New Zealand's pet trade, any individual offered for sale locally should be treated as illegal. Importing or purchasing a smuggled new organism is a serious crime under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and the HSNO Act 1996. Convictions carry heavy penalties, including substantial fines and prison terms.
Furthermore, smuggled animals bypass all biosecurity screening and quarantine, making them highly likely to carry diseases that could devastate New Zealand's native geckos and skinks.
If you encounter anyone advertising Tokay Geckos for sale, or if someone offers to sell you one, you should report it immediately to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) via their confidential 24-hour biosecurity hotline at 0800 80 99 66.
Legal reptiles to keep instead
If you love geckos and want to keep a fascinating, legal reptile as a pet in New Zealand, there are several highly popular options that are legally bred and traded within the Kiwi hobby:
- Leopard Gecko: The Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is an incredibly popular and legal option in New Zealand. They are beautifully patterned, docile, and highly suited for indoor terrariums. Check our detailed leopard gecko guide.
- Bearded Dragon: If you prefer a larger, interactive pet, the Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is highly popular and completely legal to keep. Read our bearded dragon care sheet.
Sources
- Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Prohibited organisms in New Zealand, checked 2026-07-04: https://www.epa.govt.nz/industry-areas/new-organisms/prohibited-organisms-in-new-zealand/
- New Zealand Herpetological Society (NZHS). Exotic pets — a hobby society's list of exotics commonly kept in New Zealand (not an approval list), checked 2026-09-28: https://www.reptiles.org.nz/herpetofauna/exotic-pets
- Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). Bringing pets to NZ (other than cats and dogs), checked 2026-09-29: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/bringing-pets-to-nz-other-than-cats-and-dogs/
- New Zealand Legislation. Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (s2A, s25, s109, Schedule 2), checked 2026-09-28: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1996/0030/latest/whole.html
Fun Facts
Fact 1
Tokay Geckos are named after their loud, distinctive 'tokay-tokay' call, which can be surprisingly vocal.
Fact 2
They possess incredibly strong jaws and a powerful bite, known to hold on tenaciously once they clamp down.
Fact 3
Their toe pads are covered in millions of microscopic hair-like structures called setae, allowing them to cling to almost any surface, even upside down.
Fact 4
Tokay Geckos can change the intensity of their colouration to blend in with their surroundings or express their mood.
Fact 5
In some cultures, Tokay Geckos are considered symbols of good luck or fertility, while in others, their loud calls are believed to ward off evil spirits.
Related Breeds
Ackie Monitor
The Ackie Monitor is not legally keepable in New Zealand; this page details the legal framework and legal alternative reptile species.
Australian Water Dragon
Australian Water Dragons are large, active semi-arboreal lizards native to Australia. They need large vertical climbing enclosures, high humidity, and a swimming pool, and are the only water dragon legal in NZ.
Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are one of the small number of non-native lizards legally kept in New Zealand. They are daytime-active and genuinely handleable, but they are also the most equipment-hungry of the common pet lizards: an adult needs roughly a 120x60x60cm vivarium, a 38-42°C basking spot and full-spectrum UVB. Skimp on the UVB and metabolic bone disease is the usual outcome. Typical lifespan is 10-15 years.
Blue-tongued Skink
Blue-tongued Skink is a medium reptile originating from Australia. It is legal to keep in NZ, but in the Auckland region it is a listed pest: breeding, distributing, releasing or selling one is banned there. Typical lifespan is 15-20 years.