A cheerful gecko named Moko made his grand entrance at the Zespri AIMS Games opening ceremony in Tauranga on 8 September 2026, and he’s been a hit with athletes ever since.
Moko’s design actually came from two students who entered a mascot competition separately — and ended up with almost identical ideas. Kieran John-Francke, now a University of Auckland architecture student who competed at AIMS in 2017 and 2018, sketched a gecko design using kōwhaiwhai and other Māori patterns from his architecture studies. Havelock North Intermediate student Austin Garside, who is competing in gymnastics and hockey at this year’s Games, submitted his own gecko design too.
Both entries were so similar that organisers named them joint winners.
“To be able to go to Tauranga with my team was really, really cool,” Kieran said, adding that the best part wasn’t the medals, but the experience with his team.
A gecko with the right attitude
Moko was designed to be sporty, sociable and adventurous, just like New Zealand’s native geckos — quick, fair, and always keen to try a new sport. Around the venues, Moko is regularly mobbed by excited athletes wanting photos, high-fives and hugs.
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