Two illicitly taken native jewelled geckos have been returned to New Zealand from Germany and are in the care of staff at Wellington Zoo.

The two reptiles were seized in Germany in 2013 from a German national and were then looked after at Cologne Zoo.

Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner says it's the first time poached wildlife has been repatriated from overseas.

She says it sends a clear message that the theft of this country's taonga will not be tolerated.