Maui’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) were recognised as a distinct subspecies of Hector’s dolphins in 2002, following genetic research.
Before then, they were called the North Island Hector’s dolphin.
In 2002, a New Zealand marine scientist, Dr Alan Baker, used genetic and skeletal differences to show that Maui’s dolphins are not identical to the Hector’s dolphins that live around the South Island.
The dolphins’ common name is Maui’s, after the Māori name for the North Island – te Ika a Maui. The Māori name for Maui’s dolphins is popoto.
Most rare
Today, with a total population estimated at less than 70 individuals, Maui’s dolphins are recognised as the world’s smallest and most rare marine dolphin. The Department of Conservation's recent Maui's abundance estimate, as of 2010-11, has put the number of individuals over the age of 1 year at 55 (with a 95% confidence interval of 48-69). Collecting genetic samples from calves was deliberately avoided in order to prevent undue stress, however it is very unlikely that more than 10 calves exist at any given time with a population level this low. This estimate also indicates that the future generations are relying on about 20 mature adult females (over 7 years of age) to recover the population to historical levels.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) classifies them on its Red List as ‘critically endangered’. There are only two worse classifications – ‘extinct’ and ‘extinct in the wild’ – it can’t get much worse for Maui’s.
Learn more about the Maui’s dolphins’ ecology, distribution, and the threats they face by reading our factsheets.
Help the dolphins’ survive
Maui’s dolphins are balanced on a knife-edge of survival and need immediate protection. WWF-New Zealand has campaigned to save Hector’s dolphins for many years. In 2004, WWF’s Conservation Challenge called on the Government to protect the dolphins throughout their current and historic range. Find out more about our campaign for Maui's.
It included a 2007 petition we presented to Parliament that was signed by more than 32,500 people and called on the Government to stop the extinction of Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins. Kiwis clearly care.
See the Take Action for Maui's page to find out how you can help ensure the dolphins’ survival. You can:
• visit WWF-New Zealand’s Stop their Extinction campaign website
• adopt a Hector’s dolphin to support our work
• report any dolphin sightings
Report all sightings
Maui’s dolphins range closer to shore during warmer months, which means you are more likely to spot them along the North Island’s west coast during late spring, summer and early autumn.
Please report every sighting you make – either online, or by calling our Maui’s hotline: 0800 4 MAUIS (0800 468 247). It doesn't matter if you think it's the same dolphin in the same place, or you reported yesterday. Every sighting counts.
This information is used to track Maui’s distribution and helps WWF and other conservationists learn more about dolphins, where they live and how far they range. It means the Government can protect the dolphins by putting in boundaries to keep set netting, trawling and underwater mineral exploration out of the places they live.
In 2002, a New Zealand marine scientist, Dr Alan Baker, used genetic and skeletal differences to show that Maui’s dolphins are not identical to the Hector’s dolphins that live around the South Island.
The dolphins’ common name is Maui’s, after the Māori name for the North Island – te Ika a Maui. The Māori name for Maui’s dolphins is popoto.
Most rare
Today, with a total population estimated at less than 70 individuals, Maui’s dolphins are recognised as the world’s smallest and most rare marine dolphin. The Department of Conservation's recent Maui's abundance estimate, as of 2010-11, has put the number of individuals over the age of 1 year at 55 (with a 95% confidence interval of 48-69). Collecting genetic samples from calves was deliberately avoided in order to prevent undue stress, however it is very unlikely that more than 10 calves exist at any given time with a population level this low. This estimate also indicates that the future generations are relying on about 20 mature adult females (over 7 years of age) to recover the population to historical levels.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) classifies them on its Red List as ‘critically endangered’. There are only two worse classifications – ‘extinct’ and ‘extinct in the wild’ – it can’t get much worse for Maui’s.
Learn more about the Maui’s dolphins’ ecology, distribution, and the threats they face by reading our factsheets.
Help the dolphins’ survive
Maui’s dolphins are balanced on a knife-edge of survival and need immediate protection. WWF-New Zealand has campaigned to save Hector’s dolphins for many years. In 2004, WWF’s Conservation Challenge called on the Government to protect the dolphins throughout their current and historic range. Find out more about our campaign for Maui's.
It included a 2007 petition we presented to Parliament that was signed by more than 32,500 people and called on the Government to stop the extinction of Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins. Kiwis clearly care.
See the Take Action for Maui's page to find out how you can help ensure the dolphins’ survival. You can:
• visit WWF-New Zealand’s Stop their Extinction campaign website
• adopt a Hector’s dolphin to support our work
• report any dolphin sightings
Report all sightings
Maui’s dolphins range closer to shore during warmer months, which means you are more likely to spot them along the North Island’s west coast during late spring, summer and early autumn.
Please report every sighting you make – either online, or by calling our Maui’s hotline: 0800 4 MAUIS (0800 468 247). It doesn't matter if you think it's the same dolphin in the same place, or you reported yesterday. Every sighting counts.
This information is used to track Maui’s distribution and helps WWF and other conservationists learn more about dolphins, where they live and how far they range. It means the Government can protect the dolphins by putting in boundaries to keep set netting, trawling and underwater mineral exploration out of the places they live.
