Nearly all of New Zealand’s more than 120 native lizard species are now considered threatened or at risk of extinction. The country’s unique geckos and skinks face numerous pressures, but new analysis reveals that rampant land development and critical gaps in environmental policy are creating a perilous situation for their survival. Even when protective measures are attempted, their effectiveness is highly uncertain, pushing dozens of species closer to the brink.
While all native lizards are legally protected under the Wildlife Act, the practical application of this protection is failing them. Researchers from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington highlight that urban expansion, vegetation clearance, and earthworks frequently proceed with little to no consideration for the lizards living in those habitats. This occurs because ecological assessments are not always mandatory, creating a system where the fate of protected wildlife often depends on the voluntary goodwill of developers rather than robust regulatory enforcement.
An Abundant and Imperiled Reptilian World
New Zealand is a global hotspot for lizard biodiversity, home to a diverse radiation of over 120 endemic species belonging to two families: skinks and geckos. Unlike many other nations, these reptiles evolved with few natural predators, filling ecological niches across the islands. As a group, they are remarkably widespread and adaptable, capable of living in a vast range of environments. Some have specific needs, but many thrive in varied habitats, including regenerating native bush, coastal scrublands, rocky outcrops, and even heavily modified urban and suburban landscapes.
This very adaptability has become a critical vulnerability. Lizards are often present in gardens, parks, vacant lots, and stands of weedy, non-native vegetation—precisely the kinds of land targeted for new housing subdivisions, commercial construction, and infrastructure projects. Because they can inhabit small, fragmented patches of seemingly low ecological value, their presence is easily overlooked. The result is a silent crisis where entire populations can be displaced or destroyed by a single development project. The official threat classification underscores the severity of the problem, with all but four of the country’s native lizard species now designated as threatened or at risk.
Shortfalls in Environmental Policy
The primary legislative tool for safeguarding these animals is the Wildlife Act, which makes it illegal to deliberately disturb or kill native lizards. To proceed with any project that may affect them—such as clearing vegetation, landscaping, or building—developers must secure a Wildlife Act Authorisation from the Department of Conservation (DOC). This process typically requires the creation of a detailed, site-specific Lizard Management Plan that outlines how impacts will be avoided or mitigated.
However, a major policy loophole undermines this process. Outside of specially protected zones known as Significant Natural Areas (SNAs), rules often permit activities like land clearance and earthworks with few or no ecological conditions attached. Mandatory ecological assessments are not a universal requirement. This means that unless developers or contractors are proactive and aware, lizard populations on unprotected land may be wiped out before any formal process is triggered. The system effectively outsources conservation responsibility to private entities, whose primary focus is on project timelines and budgets.
The Burden on Developers
For developers who do follow the process, the requirements can still lead to significant project hurdles. Discovering a protected lizard population during the later stages of a project can result in costly delays and require expensive interventions. Planners and ecologists stress the need for expert consultation and thorough site surveys at the earliest stages of a proposal to prevent conflicts. These initial assessments can determine if lizards are present and help in designing projects that avoid the most sensitive habitats, potentially by creating development exclusion zones to protect resident populations.
The Dubious Promise of Relocation
For decades, the most common solution for lizards in the path of development has been “mitigation translocation.” This practice involves ecologists capturing the animals on-site and moving them to a new, theoretically safe location. It has become a standard component of many Lizard Management Plans, offering a tangible action that allows projects to proceed. Yet, a growing body of international evidence suggests this strategy is deeply flawed and has a high rate of failure for reptiles.
The success of a translocation is difficult to properly measure. Lizards are often released into existing habitats where other lizards may already live, making it nearly impossible to track whether the relocated individuals survive, establish new territory, and successfully reproduce over the long term. Without this data, the conservation outcome remains unknown. Critics argue that the practice provides a convenient permit pathway for development without ensuring any real benefit for the animals it purports to save. The Department of Conservation itself acknowledges that there is not yet research to prove the tool is effective in the New Zealand context.
A Look at a Local Hotspot
The South Island’s Canterbury region provides a clear example of these national pressures. The area, including Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury High Country, is home to multiple declining or nationally vulnerable species, such as the spotted skink, jewelled gecko, and Canterbury gecko. These lizards inhabit a mosaic of environments, from dry river cobbles and rock outcrops to coastal scrubland and pockets of forest. The jewelled gecko is a tree-dweller active during the day, while the Canterbury gecko is a nocturnal, ground-dwelling species often found in rocky terrain.
Any development in these known habitats triggers the need for careful management. The process can be time-consuming and expensive, involving herpetologist fees, the costs of implementing the management plan, and potential construction adjustments. This underscores the need for a policy framework that proactively identifies and protects important lizard habitats before the development planning stage begins, rather than reacting to conflicts on a case-by-case basis.
Moving Toward Meaningful Protection
Experts suggest a fundamental shift in approach is necessary to secure a future for New Zealand’s lizards. The current system, which relies heavily on reactive mitigation on fragmented parcels of land, is insufficient to counter the cumulative impact of nationwide habitat loss. A key first step is strengthening policy to require ecological assessments for a much broader range of land-use activities, not just those within designated SNAs.
Furthermore, there is a need to move beyond a singular focus on translocation. The guidance provided by the Department of Conservation advises developers to prioritize avoiding impacts altogether, then reducing them, and only using compensation or relocation as a last resort. This could involve creating new, permanent lizard habitats before existing ones are damaged or destroyed. For this to be effective, such work must be planned with expert ecological input to ensure the new environments truly meet the complex needs of the specific species they are intended to support. Without a renewed focus on habitat preservation and creation, New Zealand risks losing a significant portion of its unique reptilian heritage.
