MANUKAU COURIER (New Zealand) 21 June 07 Luxury lizard garden improves research (Michael Otto)
The mysterious world of lizards could soon be on show in a garden planned for land close to the Otuataua stonefields in Mangere.
The public will be able to walk through the garden, which scientists will use to study the small reptiles, along a path from a nearby coastal walkway.
The garden will bring together science and public art as part of the 'Under the Radar' project by Unitec’s landscape unit within the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.
Lizards are an indicator of the environmental health of the Auckland volcanic field, Unitec associate professor Rod Barnett says.
When lizard populations thrive, all is well environmentally.
But today there are only 12 known species around Auckland, whereas there were 18 before urbanisation, Dr Barnett says.
The Otuataua project has had the verbal go-ahead from the Manukau City Council and tang-ata whenua and a Unitec presentation to an Auckland Regional Council committee is planned.
A city council report says 'implementation is imminent'.
The native moko skink and Australian rainbow skink live at the stonefields but little is known about whether they interact or breed, Dr Barnett says.
Although scientists know a lot about lizards in general, there is much research still to be done on individual species.
The garden will be the best in five-star lizard accommodation to attract the creatures.
There will be plenty of twigs and branches for the cold-blooded lizards to stand on and heat themselves early in the day.
As the day progresses the volcanic rocks in the garden are warmed up by the sun and the reptiles shift on to them.
Having the optimum lizard habitat will enable close-up study but the garden will be an artwork as well as a laboratory.
Because it is close to a public walkway and the airport it could add to the tourism potential of the area and be an educational resource.
Dr Barnett says the Otuataua site was chosen after a geographical information system analysis, which pinpoints an optimum combination of vegetation, volcanic landscape and cycleways. Other lizard sites around Auckland isthmus volcanoes could also be developed, he says.
The Otuataua design will draw on the history of the nearby stonefields, which were extensively gardened by Maori and later Pakeha settlers.
Protected from the prevailing southwesterly wind, the garden will face north to get the sun.
It will have a path down the middle and will feature exotic trees from Pakeha orcharding, and plants used by Maori for hundreds of years.
Different stone arrangements will also reflect the uses made of volcanic rocks by both cultures in supporting themselves off the land.
The Unitec team hopes the project can be built in six months.
Dr Barnett says the funding has already been secured from the Smash Palace Collaborations Fund, set up by Creative New Zealand, and the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.
Luxury lizard garden improves research