Maui’s & Hector’s Dolphins
Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins are unique to New Zealand. They are only found off the coast of New Zealand. They are our very own dolphins. Both the South Island Hector’s dolphin and the Maui’s dolphin are listed internationally as species threatened with extinction.
Are Maui's and Hector's the same?
Yes and No...The North Island Hector’s dolphins - Maui’s dolphins - were once called Hector’s dolphins. However Maui’s became separated from their South Island cousins (and stayed apart) so that now the North Island Hector’s are genetically distinct from the South Island Hector’s.
The female Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins only produce one calf every 2 to 4 years and do not start breeding until they are 7 to 9 years old. This slow rate of reproduction makes Hector's dolphin populations vulnerable to deaths caused by human activities such as fishing.
Read more: