Māui and Hector’s dolphins need stronger protection

Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders is the only charity in the world dedicated specifically to the protection, preservation and recovery of the Aotearoa dolphin, throughout their range. We are the leading charity in New Zealand advocating for the ‘New Zealand dolphin’. We are building a nation of Dolphin Defenders through our work, encouraging other environmental groups and individuals to advocate for Māui and Hector’s dolphins too.

Fishing industry bycatch is the dolphins’ biggest threat. The Department of Conservation Māui and Hector’s dolphin Incident Database shows that where cause of death is known, the majority of deaths are caused by entanglement in fishing nets.

Explore our website to find out more about us and our history, learn about our unique dolphin species, keep up to date with blog posts and relevant news articles, and join us in taking action to improve the health and protection of Māui and Hector’s dolphins. Donations are gratefully received.