Rainbow skinks (Lampropholis delicata) are Unwanted Organisms under the Biosecurity Act 1993. As such, it is illegal to sell (or offer for sale), communicate (move), release (or cause to be released), spread, exhibit, or breed rainbow skinks.

These Australian lizards were first recorded in Auckland during the 1960s, probably arriving accidentally in cargo. They are now widespread from Northland to Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, with outlying populations at Wanganui, Palmerston North and Foxton Beach. They are not known to be in the South Island.

Rainbow skinks are able to reach high population densities in a relatively short time, potentially competing with our native lizard species for food, habitat and space.