Direct answer first: Māui dolphins are a critically endangered subspecies of Hector’s dolphin found only on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. They are among the smallest and rarest dolphins in the world, with population estimates in the low tens to low hundreds range and ongoing threats from fishing, disease, and habitat pressures. Context and key facts
- Range and identity
- Māui dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) are endemic to the northwest coast of the North Island, New Zealand, from Maunganui Bluff to Whanganui. They are a distinct subspecies of Hector’s dolphin, recognizable by a rounded dorsal fin and their small size. This restricted range makes them especially vulnerable to local threats.
- Population status
- Population estimates are very small and have fluctuated with new mortality data; figures commonly cited place mature individuals in the tens to low hundreds range, with some assessments suggesting populations could be under 50–110 individuals depending on recent mortalities and methodologies. Nationally critical status is assigned in New Zealand.
- Threats
- Major threats include commercial fishing practices such as set-netting and trawling, entanglement in fishing gear, disease (toxoplasmosis and brucellosis), oil/gas activities, vessel strikes, and noise pollution. These pressures are imprinting a clear need for protective measures and fishery management to avoid further declines.
- Distinguishing features
- Māui dolphins have a distinctive rounded dorsal fin and are small (adult length ~1.5 meters), with grey bodies and black/white markings; they can be visually similar to Hector’s dolphins, but their nearshore, restricted distribution and specific fin shape help differentiate them.
- Conservation and protections
- In New Zealand, Māui dolphins are protected under national conservation frameworks, with area-specific fishing restrictions and ongoing monitoring to reduce bycatch and mortality. International bodies also monitor their status as part of broader Hector’s dolphin conservation.
Notes on terminology and spelling
- Both “Māui dolphin” and “Maui’s dolphin” have appeared in literature; current NZ usage leans toward Māui dolphin with macrons, reflecting Māori names and standardization efforts.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific aspect (e.g., latest population estimates, distribution maps, or conservation measures in a particular NZ region) and pull precise figures from current sources.