Saving the Skinks — Protecting a Rare Native Treasure in Hawke’s Bay
Deep on the sunny foreshore of Napier, a remarkable conservation effort is underway to safeguard one of Aotearoa’s rarest native reptiles — the kōkōwai / northern spotted skink (Oligosoma kokowai). Once more widespread along New Zealand’s east coast, this distinctive lizard is now on the brink of disappearing from the mainland due to habitat loss and predation by introduced mammals.
Why the Skinks Need Help
The northern spotted skink is a large (up to ~20 cm), colourful skink that prefers open, sunny areas with rocks, logs, and dense vegetation — ideal for basking, shelter, and hunting insects or native fruits. Sadly, its numbers have dwindled drastically on the mainland and in Hawke’s Bay, making every surviving population vitally important to the species’ long-term survival.
Recognising this, Napier City Council and conservation partners are creating a predator-proof habitat enclosure on Marine Parade to give these precious skinks a fighting chance in a safe, controlled environment.
The Sanctuary on Marine Parade
The new enclosure, part of the Maraenui to Te Awa stormwater improvements project, is designed not just as a temporary holding area, but as a long-term conservation site. It will serve two key roles:
- A safe home for skinks displaced by nearby infrastructure works (including stormwater upgrades).
- A refuge to support population growth with reduced predator pressure and suitable habitat features.
The fenced area — roughly 26 × 26 metres — has a 2 metre high predator-proof mesh that keeps out cats, rats, mice and other mammalian threats while still allowing natural weather and insect flows. Inside, immigration partners are creating skink-friendly features like basking platforms, rock and log piles, and native plantings.
Key Contributors
- Napier City Council – Project leadership and coordination.
- Hawke’s Bay Regional Council – Provided a 12 V solar power system with panels and batteries secured in a lockable crate.
- Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay – Conservation expertise and support.
- Forest & Bird – Advocacy and biodiversity protection alongside habitat planning.
- Think Water Hawkes Bay – Supplied and installed essential irrigation equipment to nurture new vegetation.
Supporting the Habitat with Irrigation
To make sure the enclosure’s plants thrive — helping to create shade, shelter and food sources for the skinks — Think Water Hawkes Bay stepped up with:
- A 12 V pump paired with a Galcon Bluetooth tap timer.
- A network of 19 mm lateral pipework feeding five Hunter MP Rotators spread throughout the area.
- A 15,000 L water tank supplied at a reduced price by Devan as part of a budget-conscious build.
- Volunteer labour from staff member Liam Taylor, who installed the system in his own time to minimise costs!
This irrigation system ensures that native plants — critical to creating natural shelter — will be reliably watered even when conditions get dry.
With predator barriers, smart habitat design, and community support, the skink sanctuary represents a hopeful future for a species that once teetered on the edge of near extinction on the mainland. Surveys estimate only a small number of individuals remain in the wild, but projects like this aim to secure a sustainable home where skinks can flourish for years to come.
As construction continues and vegetation grows, conservation teams will soon begin relocating captured skinks into this safe haven — giving them a second chance in a world that’s rapidly changing around them.
Conclusion – A Big Win for Conservation
This project is a powerful example of what can be achieved when local organisations, councils and businesses come together for a greater cause. The predator-proof enclosure will play a critical role in protecting the northern spotted skink and preserving Hawke’s Bay’s unique biodiversity for generations to come.
A huge congratulations to Think Water Hawkes Bay for their generosity, expertise, and commitment to the project — from supplying and installing the irrigation system to helping ensure the enclosure’s vegetation thrives long term.
We also want to extend a special thank you to Liam Taylor, who donated his own time to complete the installation free of charge. Your dedication and willingness to go above and beyond truly embodies community spirit and makes a real difference to conservation efforts like this.
Together with Biodiversity Hawkes Bay, Hawkes Bay Regional Council, Napier City Council, Devan, and Forest & Bird, this project stands as a shining example of collaboration, care, and commitment to protecting our native wildlife.
Well done to everyone involved — you’re quite literally saving the skinks. 🦎