There are 48 species of geckos in Aotearoa. All of these geckos are endemic - only found here. They belong to their own family of geckos Diplodactylidae a unique evolutionary branch of the order of geckos Gekkonidae. An unusual characteristic of endemic geckos and skinks is they give birth to live young, often having twins! The one exception in the cleverly named ‘egg-laying skink' (Oligosoma suteri). All in all there are around 100 described species of lizards (geckos and skinks combined found 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.

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

Species outside of Aotearoa