A multicolour print of an overhead view of a Harlequin Gecko moving through the foliage of a flowering manuka tree printed on the front of a black marle Surface Active t-shirt. The shirt reads in small text “Harlequin gecko - Stewart Island New Zealand.
January 12, 2022 / / No Comments

Explore the enchanting world of New Zealand’s native gecko treasure. Discover the Harlequin Gecko (tukutuku Rakiurae) with our pixel art illustrated t-shirt. This gecko, native to the alpine regions of Stewart Island, is celebrated for its mesmerizing pattern. The pattern mirrors intricate Maori herringbone tukutuku panels. It also resembles the bold, contrasting diamonds of a Harlequin clown’s attire. Our t-shirt features pixel art. It vividly captures this gecko’s camouflage against the backdrop of manuka in flower. This design showcases its exquisite adaptation to its environment. Renowned for its stunning patterns and vibrant colours, the Harlequin Gecko is often hailed as New Zealand’s most beautiful lizard. Wear this shirt and spark conversations about the beauty of our natural heritage.

Choose from a variety of shirt styles. These include short and long sleeves. We offer options for men, women, and kids at our Surface Active stores.

Purchase Options: Shop Locally or Internationally

Choose how you shop for your Harlequin gecko t-shirt:

  • shop online at our New Zealand based e-store based in Tauranga,
  • and international e-store based in the United States (Use code: “PERFEC” for 5% off your international store purchase)
  • from our retail outlet in New Brighton Mall; The Creatives Edit.
  • alternatively order directly from me using the order form below for a custom made heat-pressed t-shirt. Ideal for pick-up at my New Brighton Seaside Market stall, Saturdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m., for a cycle delivery locally, or to send via courier post. International customers will be charged the actual shipping cost based on the weight and the destination of their order. As a guide a Large Surface Active 185 gsm t-shirt weighs 130–150 grams.
  • Note garment colour and size information is below the order form.
Artwork of a Harlequin Gecko with its distinctive harlequin pattern of contrasting elongated diamonds, designed for placement on t-shirts.
A Maori tukutuku panel with a pattern resembling the Harlequin Gecko's skin, featuring geometric diamond shapes.

Order Form For Custom T-Shirt Made by Shaun in New Brighton

Shaun Waugh from Surface Active is the guy creating you custom tee for you. With the assistance of his Christchurch custom DTF print provider Merch Kings. (Note: if you are a New Brighton local, he’s the t-Shirt man at the Saturday Brighton Market)

Shaun designs and heat presses all his art on garments. The print quality delivered by the DTF printing process is exceptional. The finished product is carefully designed to be durable, reflecting the pride that Shaun has in hand-crafting his work.

Prices for medium weight 185 gsm t-shirts printed in New Brighton:

  • Kids tees infant to toddler size, 1–4 yrs old: $20.00 plus shipping
  • Kids t-shirts youth size, 6–14 yrs old: $20.00 plus shipping
  • Mens/Unisex t-shirt: $57.50 plus shipping
  • Womens t-shirt: $57.50 plus shipping

Prices for heavy weight 220gsm long sleeve t-shirts

  • Mens/Unisex longsleeve t-shirt, heavy weight 220 gsm: $71.00 plus shipping
  • Womens longsleeve t-shirt, heavy weight 220 gsm: $71.00 plus shipping

Shipping is via Courier Post, price starts at $8 for 1 adult shirt, $10 for two or more.

Customer Details

Go back

Your message has been sent

Bank Details

Bank: Kiwibank
Account Name: MagentaDot Limited
Account Number: 38-90090359221-00
Use Reference: Your name

Details: Our high resolution artwork and water-based ink system ensure that our wildlife art prints are crisp and vibrant, the sharpness and details of small dots and fine lines is clear and well defined, the prints are securely bonded to the fabric, they feel soft, smooth and blended in with the garment. While our T-shirts are well made from 100% combed ring-spun cotton*, they’re constructed from 185gsm (mid-weight) fabric, pre-shrunk, anti-pill.

  • Tight knit for superior printability and handfeel
  • Side seams for better fit and to prevent twisting
  • Shoulder to shoulder reinforcing tape
  • Twin-needle stitching on body and sleeve hems

* Marle colours have a 15 percent viscose content to produce that classic marle look.

Choose Colour (Note: Most popular set of shirt colours are emphasised in bold)

Surface Active’s t-shirt suppliers colour chart to assist customers to identify the right t-shirt for them.
Top row: Black, Black Marle, Dark Grey, Grey Marle, Sage, Khaki, Kelly, Navy.
Middle row: Denim Marle, Bluestone, Deep Royal, Aqua, Pale Sky, Lavender, Purple, Maroon.
Bottom row: Rust, Red, Pale Pink, Orange, Tan, Ivory, White.
(Note: Outsize shirts are available up to 9XL in 5 colours: White, Black, Dark Grey, Navy & Grey Marle)

Choose size

Size chart of Surface Actives mens’ t-shirt sizes.
Mens’ size chart.
Womens’ size chart.
Kids’ size chart.
A man shows off a t-shirt with a Harlequin Gecko design, standing in front of gym weight lifting bars, showcasing the artful depiction of the gecko’s pattern.
Close-up of a bearded man wearing a sage green t-shirt with a Harlequin Gecko design, leaning against a rusty wall.
Close-up of a woman's face wearing a t-shirt with a wrap-around print of the Harlequin Gecko's pattern, highlighting the detailed design.
Man wearing a harlequin gecko t-shirt standing beside New Brighton Pier.
Man wearing a harlequin gecko t-shirt standing beside New Brighton Pier.
Man wearing a harlequin gecko t-shirt standing beside New Brighton Pier.
:Close-up of a woman wearing a Harlequin Gecko t-shirt under a denim jacket, highlighting the detailed print of the gecko's camouflage pattern against a backdrop of flowering manuka.
Close-up of a woman wearing a brown Harlequin Gecko t-shirt under a denim jacket, highlighting the detailed print of the gecko's camouflage pattern against a backdrop of flowering manuka.
A plus-size woman with blue hair wears a Harlequin Gecko t-shirt featuring its distinctive pattern, standing in a subway station.
Birds-eye view portrait of Surface Active t-shirt’s design pARTners, Chrissie Terpstra and Shaun Waugh, wearing Harlequin and Jewelled Gecko tees, against a white background, shot in a studio in 1996.
Close-up of a man wearing a t-shirt with the Surface Active Harlequin Gecko print, showing detailed, geometric patterns.
Extreme close-up view of the Harlequin gecko, New Zealand wildlife art print from Surface Active—The New Zealand Nature T-Shirt Company.
Detailed view of the Harlequin gecko, New Zealand – Tukutuku Rakiurae art print.

The New Zealand Nature T-Shirt Company

Category: