The critically endangered Māui dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) is one of the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins. An endemic sub-species closely related to the Hector’s dolphin, it is now found only in the shallow coastal waters off the west coast of the North Island.

Only between 55 to 63 Māui dolphins remain. Entanglement in fishing nets and debris, mining activity, boat strike, pollution and disease, together with natural factors, continue to pose real risks to the species' survival.

Conservation measures have centred on restricting net-fishing methods, to varying distances offshore, between Maunganui Bluff in Northland and Hawera in South Taranaki. Seismic surveying operations are also regulated within the 2164 kilometre long Marine Mammal Sanctuary from Maunganui Bluff to Oakura Beach in Taranaki. Sea bed mineral mining is prohibited in parts of the sanctuary. A Research Advisory Group is investigating other conservation activities.



The next five to ten years are probably our last chance to save the Māui dolphin. The Endangered Species Foundation is assisting in investigating additional conservation initiatives.

​The Māui dolphin conservation factsheet (PDF 1.6MB) explains the threats to the dolphin's survival, current conservation efforts and what more needs doing.