Ecosanctuary general manager Chris Baillie said the bright green geckos, found only in Canterbury, Otago and Southland, were taken from Otago Peninsula as part of the sanctuary's plans for translocation - effectively reintroducing species into an area where they once lived.
A team of nine people spent five hours locating the bright green geckos, which were under threat through predation, loss of habitat and poaching, she said.
It had taken a year to gain the approval for translocation so the geckos could join the kaka as the first species to reside at the ecosanctuary.
Given six pregnant females were among the jewelled gecko population, it was hoped a viable, healthy population could be achieved, she said.
Orokonui Ecosanctuary conservation manager Elton Smith said the geckos would act as a backup population and further research would be carried out to learn more "about this local, iconic species".
Helping the reintroduction of species to the sanctuary was the reserve's pest-free status as of last November, he said.
Since eradication began in July 2007, 12 of the 13 introduced species had been eradicated from the area, including hundreds of rats, 2000 possums and 24 hedgehogs.
Mice were the only introduced species yet to be ruled out; but with none having recently been detected the signs were promising, he said.
The sanctuary was now preparing for other species, including kiwi, tuatara, saddleback, and the New Zealand bush robin, to be translocated by the end of the year.
"It will be a busy year," he said.
The sanctuary is expected to open to the public in spring.
