Geckos moving to gulf islands

Biologists are relocating more than 60 of the rare duvaucel's geckos to Motuora and Tiritiri Matangi islands in the Hauraki Gulf.

The geckos, and a group of skinks, are being moved to increase the reptile population of the islands, both of which are predator-free.

Motuora now has only two native reptile species but once was home to as many as 13, including tuatara, before forest was cleared.

Massey University conservation biologists Dr Dianne Brunton and Dr Weihong Ji will monitor the geckos and skinks after they are released, with the help of tiny transmitters mounted on some of them.