Date:  03 March 2026

The two sub-species of dolphin look so similar they can't be identified without a genetic test - but based on the location it's likely to be a critically endangered Māui dolphin. At the last survey there were just an estimated 48 to 64 individuals left.

The juvenile dolphin, which washed up near Port Waikato, was reported to DOC on the morning of Thursday 26 February, after a member of the public came across it on Wednesday afternoon.

With the help of the local landowner, DOC staff collected the dolphin and sent it to Massey University for a necropsy to try and understand what has happened to it. A DNA sample will be sent to the University of Auckland to determine if it was a Māui or Hector's dolphin.

Mana whenua supported DOC to gain access to private landowners, and undertook karakia protocols. Remains will be returned to Ngaa Iwi o Te Puaha o Waikato at a later date. The dolphin was gifted the name Māui Pōtiki from mana whenua, derived from the karakia Pai Mārire.

DOC Marine Species Manager Malene Felsing says unfortunately, preliminary necropsy work could not determine a cause of death because the remains are severely decomposed.

"More testing is being done to see if we can learn anything about what’s happened to this dolphin, but this will be limited due to the decomposition of the animal.

"Given the rarity of the species we need to try and learn anything we can, to better understand the threats facing these iconic dolphins, which are some of the smallest in the world."

Malene says anyone out naturing on our coasts who sees a dead dolphin is asked to call it in to DOC as soon as possible, with an accurate location, so we can collect it quicky.

"The sooner we can get to the animal, the better condition it will be in for necropsy which means we will learn more from it. Every hour is critical.

"A huge thanks to the local landowners for retrieving the dolphin from a really remote stretch of coastline."

Malene says Māui and Hector's dolphins can be identified by their distinctive rounded dorsal fin, which looks a bit like one of Mickey Mouse's ears, and the public are encouraged to report all sightings.

"DOC recently started its five-yearly Māui dolphin population survey. Real time reports of sightings, especially off the west coast of the North Island from Maunganui Bluff to Whanganui, help our field teams understand where dolphins have been seen and improve the survey's results."

Sightings can be reported using the SeaSpotter app, through the emergency hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or via our online form: Marine mammal sighting form.

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