Niho Taniwha Chevron Skink
Chevron skink (Oligosoma homalonotum) are only found in New Zealand Aotearoa where there are more than 150 species of these native lizards. There are 13 species found only on our island.
Here at Glenfern we are home the rare and secretive lizard called Niho Taniwha…. which you may be lucky enough to see on your walk around the Sanctuary.
Translocation
Ten endangered niho taniwha (chevron skinks) were successfully released back into the wild here at Glenfern Sanctuary on July 8, 2026. The release was a joint initiative between the Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust Board, the Department of Conservation (DOC), Glenfern Sanctuary Trust, and Auckland Zoo.
In the 1990s, two Niho Taniwha were removed from Aotea and transferred to Auckland Zoo for protection and breeding. Now, more than 30 years later, some of their descendants are returning home to their whanau here, a safe haven heavily protected by predator-proof fencing and intensive rat control.
Post-Release Monitoring
Field teams and researchers from Unitec and the University of Otago are actively tracking the newly released lizards to monitor their movement patterns and map out their home ranges compared to resident skinks.
Why not create a Taniwha Retreat in Your Garden!
You can help provide a safe haven for these incredible reptiles by creating a friendly retreat in your garden just like the ones you see here.
How to Build a Lizard Retreat
Choose a warm, dry, sunny spot in your garden.
Create plenty of shelter by stacking logs, branches, rocks, tiles, or other natural materials. love having lots of hiding places where they can feel safe and secure.
Provide year-round protection. The spaces between logs and rocks offer shelter from both hot weather and cold temperatures.
Plant native shrubs, grasses, and groundcovers such as coprosma, harakeke, and carex. Plants that produce berries and nectar provide food and attract insects - an important food source for lizards.
Add a shallow water dish tucked away in the plants and shelter.
Keep predators away.
Rats, cats, mice, and other predators pose a serious threat to native lizards.
Just like we do here at Glenfern Sanctuary, you can manage predator control around your home and garden to protect your Taniwha!
And,...when you are walking the Glenfern Loop Track - keep a look out for these unique and very shy lizards - found only on our motu!
Reporter Jaxton headed to Aotea on a very special mission, to bring these rescued Niho Taniwha back to their homeland! Get up close and personal with New Zealand’s largest and most secretive skinks before they are released to their island paradise.
Kaitoke School Aotea - Great Barrier Island Ngāti Rehua - Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust Board, Department of Conservation, (DOC), Auckland Zoo, and Glenfern Sanctuary
Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/oNSniXJZdXw
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