Lizard protection in action

29 October 2015

This month, our ecology team, together with planting contractor, NativeAwa, prepared and planted just such accommodation for lizards before construction starts on the Ruakura development.

Our ecologists had previously prepared comprehensive lizard management plans when Boffa Miskell assisted Chedworth Properties Ltd and Tainui Group Holdings to plan for the Ruakura development. The plans, required to obtain permits from the Department of Conservation, ensure lizards will be moved to suitable habitat prior to work starting on each development stage. The first lizard home has been created on nearly 300m² in Chelmsford Park that the Hamilton City Council has made available beside Council’s earlier restoration planting area.

A range of materials were used to ensure a healthy new habitat that imitates a lizard’s natural environment. Woody material, including logs salvaged from the development site, leaf litter and plants that produce lizard-preferred fruit were brought to the site, and the planting area will be allowed to grow long grass. This will encourage terrestrial insects for food and cover for the lizards to protect them from predators.

The project has been endorsed by the Hamilton community and the local hapu welcomed the project team onto the land with a karakia at the beginning of planting day. Once established, Hamilton City Council will continue to maintain the area and signage will highlight the special purpose of the site for park users.

Recovering New Zealand’s native lizards from land development sites helps protect lizard populations, which have declined dramatically as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation. In comparison with other species, New Zealand’s lizard populations grow slowly and are severely impacted by predators such as rodents and domestic cats. Loss of lizards affects the wider ecosystem as lizards have a role in pollination and seed dispersal.

The first lizard transfer to the site took place in October using the existing habitat. The new habitat will have approximately six months to establish prior to the second round of lizard transfers from Ruakura in early 2016.