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Kōrero: Taranaki region

Gold-striped gecko

Gold-striped gecko

The gold-striped gecko (Hoplodactylus chrysosireticus) is found only in Taranaki’s coastal fringe – between Waitara and Pātea – and on Mana Island near Wellington. It grows to about 14 centimetres long. Although it is considered endangered, the lizard has adapted to urban environments and is often found in gardens in New Plymouth.

Sometimes gold-striped geckos may be seen sunning themselves on flax leaves, but they quickly drop into the base of the plant if they are disturbed. This gecko has previously lost the tip of its tail, which is regrowing.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection

by R. J. Talbot

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Ron Lambert, Taranaki region – Native plants and animals, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/25273/gold-striped-gecko (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Ron Lambert, i tāngia i te 23 February 2010, updated 1 August 2015.

Comments

Dina L Hutton
09 June 2011
Yesterday morning I found a small creature in my post box. Not knowing exactly what it was, I took some photographs and emailed them to DOC who identified it for me as a Gold-stripe gecko. On their advice I have managed to transfer it to the garden, where I hope that it lives happily among the flax. I didn't want to handle it for fear of harming it, and it did open its mouth widely in protest as it was being transferred.