Northern Spotted Skink

The northern spotted skink is a large ochre-toned speckled skink of the southern North Island. Brown upperparts carry cream spots and black flecks; orange-red colouring on the flanks or underside gives rise to the name kōkōwai.

It survives in scattered coastal and inland sites around Wellington and the lower North Island, including offshore islands. It basks by day close to dense cover and eats invertebrates and fruit.

Northern spotted skink is At Risk — Uncommon (NZ Threat Classification). Predator-managed Wellington-region sites provide the most realistic chance of an observation.