A happy homecoming for a Dunedin taonga this morning.

A jewelled gecko from the Otago Peninsula has been welcomed to the Otago Museum with a powhiri this morning.

It's one of two that were smuggled from the Peninsula to Germany to be traded as pets almost three years ago. They were placed in Cologne Zoo, before being sent Wellington Zoo last April.

One of the geckos died in quarantine, but the male has been deemed fit enough to travel back to Otago, and will now spend the rest of its life at the Otago Museum.

Otakou runaka representative Hoani Langsbury said the moko are culturally significant, and are considered taoka.

He said as the kaitiaki of the Otago Peninsula fauna, they have a strong connection with the animals and bringing the gecko home is very important.

Otago Museum director Ian Griffin said it's an honour hosting such a treasured taonga, and said it will be a home-away-from-home for the gecko.

"Coming to the museum, which is pretty close to the Peninsula, is a chance to come home and serve a purpose as something to inspire interest in the wonders of this region."

He said by coming to the museum he'll have a comfortable retirement and will inspire visitors to learn more about them.