Tiny group of rare skinks found in regional park

Moko skinks, which have been found on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, have been mostly wiped out on the mainland.

The discovery of a tiny population of rare New Zealand lizards near the country's biggest city has amazed scientists.

"We're talking about something very rare," said Auckland Regional Council ecologist Dr Graham Ussher. "It [the discovery] was completely unexpected."

The tiny population of moko skinks (Oligosoma moco) was found at the council-run Shakespear Regional Park on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, about 30 minutes from central Auckland.

"Official records list six sites for the skinks throughout Auckland but those sites are under housing now," Dr Ussher said.

"We've found only a handful at Shakespear and the population is probably hanging by a thread."

Moko skinks were common throughout the upper North Island before Europeans settled in New Zealand but the introduction of rats and mice saw some skink populations plummet.

Moko skinks are mostly confined to islands such as the Hauraki Gulf's Tiritiri Matangi.

Moko skinks

* Grow up to 18cm, generally coppery or olive brown with darker brown and white stripes.

* Distinctively long toes and tail.

* Give birth to live young, with litters of up to eight, around February.

* New Zealand is home to around 30 species of skink.