The jewelled gecko — moko kakariki — reached the museum last December via a colourful and circuitous route, and now lives in a purpose-built terrarium on the museum’s atrium level 1.
The male gecko had been stolen from Otago Peninsula, smuggled into Germany and later sent back to New Zealand after being spotted on Facebook in 2013 by Dunedin herpetologist Carey Knox.
The gecko was one of two taken from the peninsula about 2010, and Mr Knox later recognised one of them, using a photo he had taken of him earlier. The other gecko was also returned but died while in quarantine.
Manawa is believed to be the first wildlife poached from this country to be successfully repatriated.
The public was asked to suggest names and the top three entries, selected by a panel of museum staff and Te Runanga o Otakou representatives, went to a public vote.
The winning entrant, Tara Swan, of Masterton explained that the Maori word "manawa" meant heart, and that geckos were special in her heart, and also at the heart of many conservation stories.
Miss Swan entered via the internet, and "can’t wait to come and explore the museum". Her prize package also included a family combo pass to the museum’s planetarium and
tropical forest, a $50 voucher for the museum shop and cafe, and a family tour of the museum.
