A rare skink colony is being relocated to a predator-proof enclosure ahead of a $37.4 million stormwater project in Napier, New Zealand.

A predator-proof enclosure is being built on Napier’s Marine Parade to relocate a rare colony of northern spotted skinks, one of New Zealand’s most endangered reptiles, ahead of a $37.4 million stormwater project. Captured using non-harmful methods, the skinks—estimated at fewer than 10 to 100—will be moved to the sanctuary in March or April 2026. The enclosure, with a fine mesh fence and native habitat features, will protect them from mammalian predators. The project, funded by Napier City Council and Kāinga Ora, includes a new pump station, outfall, and upgraded watercourses, with construction set to begin mid-2026 and finish by 2027. Officials say the move balances flood resilience upgrades with long-term conservation under the Wildlife Act 1953.