Patuharakeke Te Pou Taiao and Council Discover Rare Geckos in Te Ākau Sand Dunes

A collaborative monitoring effort between Patuharakei Te Pou Taiao and the Northland Regional Council has led to a significant discovery in the sand dunes of Te Ākau/Bream Bay. During a night survey in May, researchers recorded a Northland green gecko, marking a first for the location and providing critical data for the protection of at-risk native species. The find occurred during the team's first use of spotlighting techniques to monitor gecko populations in the area. Steve Johnson of Patuharakeke Te Pou Taiao emphasized the cultural importance of the discovery, noting that geckos are a special taonga for the hapū. As tangata whenua, Patuharakeke plays a primary role in the management and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of Bream Bay. Johnson expressed hope that identifying these species will facilitate targeted protection and restoration efforts within the dune ecosystem. In addition to the gecko sighting, the team successfully captured and identified a shore skink, a species classified as 'At-Risk, Declining'. The monitoring programme, which has been running since 2021, tracks various indicator species including katipō spiders and coastal birds to assess the health of the dunes. This data is vital, as approximately 80.5 percent of New Zealand’s coastal dune ecosystems have been lost to human activity and invasive species. Northland Regional Council biodiversity manager Laura Shaft, who spotted the gecko among kānuka trees, said the discovery highlights how much remains to be learned about the local biodiversity. The monitoring team currently uses artificial lizard shelters and manual surveying to build a long-term picture of dune health. The findings are expected to support future funding bids for predator control to ensure these endemic species can thrive in their natural habitat.