Tuatara pair making a big splash at Kiwi North

Kiwi North's newest exhibition - two tuatara - have been formally named after a Tokoroa girl came up with their monikers during a recent visit.

At the end of September, Kiwi North brought in the two tuatara which they placed in a flash new, purpose-built tuatarium to end a two-decade quest to have the ancient reptiles on display at the Maunu museum grounds.

Kiwi North linked with More FM to run a competition to name the pair and Kiwi North manager Allie Fry-Kewene said a visiting Tokoroa girl came up with the winning names - Splash and Flash.

Mrs Fry-Kewene said the names were put forward by Ani Ratu of Tokoroa who came to visit with her family on a trip around Northland.

She said Flash is the bigger of the two and has a pointy tail, while Splash has a rounded tip on the tail and seems to really enjoy the pond.

Mrs Fry-Kewene said Flash and Splash are becoming used to people. The two tuatara have become a popular addition to Kiwi North's exhibitions.