A pod of Maui's dolphins surface
Maui’s dolphin is the world’s smallest dolphin and is found only on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand and nowhere else in the world. With less than 150 left in the wild, it is New Zealand's rarest dolphin.
The dolphin is listed internationally as 'critically endangered', which means there is a high risk of it becoming extinct in the near future.
Your help is urgently sought to look out for Maui’s dolphin around New Zealand and to report sightings immediately.
Did you know that Maui's dolphins are found only on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island? Learn more about this critically endangered species.
Set net fishing poses one of the greatest threats to Maui's dolphins. Find out other threats and actions that are being taken to save this species.
Learn about DOC's work to save the critically endangered Maui's dolphin.
There are many ways you can be involved in protecting Maui's dolphins.
Report your whale and dolphin sightings.
To increase protection of Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins, four new marine mammal sanctuaries and changes to an existing sanctuary have been proposed. Consultations have now closed.
View information collected on the distribution of Maui's dolphin since the establishment of the set net closure between Maunganui Bluff and Pariokariwa Point in 2002.
Maui's dolphin brochure (PDF, 279K)
Protection for the critically endangered Maui's dolphin factsheet (PDF, 258K)
Dolphins in NZ waters factsheet (PDF, 166K)
Marine Mammal Action Plan 2005-2010 (PDF, 336K)
Hector's and Maui's dolphin threat management consultation
Marine and coastal conservation
To report whale or dolphin strandings phone the DOC HOTline 24 hour emergency number:
0800 DOCHOTline (0800 362 468)
