Breeding continues to remain off-limits for Invercargill's resident Tuatara, following a request from the Department of Conservation (DOC) and iwi, 5 years ago (2018).

In 1986 the Southland Museum and Art Gallery initiated the first documented Tuatara breeding programme in New Zealand, under the stewardship of former Senior Living Species officer Lindsay Hazley.

Identifying the importance of ultra violet light, moisture and temperature in successful breeding, the pioneering programme ran for 32 years before being put on hold in 2018.

72 of the programme's Tuatara were subsequently relocated to predator-free Stephens Island in the Marlborough Sounds, as part of a Ngāti Koata conservation project.

Invercargill's 17 remaining Tuatara remained at Southland Museum before being moved to a secret Invercargill location in February, while a new standalone outdoor facility, with a capacity for 21, is built in Queens Park as part of the Invercargill City Council's (ICC) Project 1225.

ICC Parks Performance manager Kate Gough said the council was currently awaiting direction from DOC and iwi on what the next steps in the breeding programme would be.

Meanwhile DOC has advised that the best course of action for managing captive animals including Tuatara was to replicate the natural environment, which the new facility would achieve, she said.

Gough said Tuatara breeding had "absolutely been taken into consideration" with the design.

"We have future-proofed the new facility by ensuring it will be set up so that mating can occur naturally if required and allowed."

"There will be a laboratory care room as part of the design so that we can ensure we have the appropriate requirements for breeding in the future, including a pen inside that can be used for medical purposes or as a nursery if breeding is required."

"We have also ensured that we have the correct husbandry needs for breeding."

"There will be a heat sink year-round so that there is always a warm spot for the tuatara to bask in. It will, however, be their own choice as to whether they use it or not."

"It will still be outside in the natural elements."

Gough said moisture to the enclosure would be natural, such as by rainfall.

The new facility is due to be completed in April 2024. It will also include an attached staff building.