All the ways you can help protect the Hector's dolphins from joining the Protect Hector's team to enrolling in our education programme

Become an official “Protect Hector’s Team Member” and support New Zealand’s endangered and endemic dolphin

Find out about our school education programme which includes a nine week lesson plan for both students and teachers

HECTOR'S AND MAUI DOLPHIN THREAT MANAGEMENT PLAN ROADMAP

Threat Management Plan Hectors and Maui Dolphins

Help Protect The Hector’s Dolphins

In 2019 we worked with partners like the New Zealand Whale and Dolphin Trust and many others to try to convince the NZ government to extend protection for our native dolphin. We even enlisted the help of our customers who sent over 13,000 postcards to the Prime Minister pleading for help for the dolphins. Great work!

The government’s response was the ‘Threat Management Plan’ released in 2020. It outlines some further fishing restrictions and other measures to help the dolphin population recover. You can find out more about the plan here. But we don’t think it goes far enough, and we are continuing to advocate for further protection around Banks Peninsula especially for a ban of set netting which is by far the biggest threat to the dolphins.

Our customers helped us to make a submission before December 2021 using this simple template.

Hector's Dolphin Threat Management Plan - What You Need to Know

The Facts

2,000

Hector’s Dolphins in and
around Banks Peninsula

10k

Hector’s Dolphins
in New Zealand

45%

of people rate dolphins as an
important factor in deciding to visit New Zealand

43

estimated Hector’s Dolphins’ deaths from set nets on the South Island’s east coast per year

$24.5M

economic impact generated by nature tourism in Akaroa

5

Hector’s Dolphins caught by one set of nets off Banks Peninsula in 2018

100M

of proposed protection depth around
New Zealand Coasts

476

jobs attributed to working with Hector’s Dolphins created in New Zealand

75k

tourists will see Hector’s Dolphins in Akaroa in 2023

64%

of people rated dolphins as important in their decision to visit Christchurch

4

nautical miles of offshore protection for Hector’s Dolphins at Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary

1.5m

Is the length of a full-grown Hector’s Dolphin; among the smallest of all dolphins

Conservation is part of our DNA and protecting our special dolphins is just part of who we are. We continue to work with partners and the community to advocate for further protection of our rare native dolphin

Did you know it’s estimated the Akaroa Hector’s dolphin industry generates $24.5M a year in direct and indirect revenue with $19.5M of that for Canterbury alone? This equates to 476 jobs (419 in Canterbury) The dolphins are an essential attraction in Akaroa and bring vital tourism dollars to the region. Over $100M in the last 4 years. We commissioned an Economic Impact Assessment which you can find here.

DOWNLOAD THE HECTOR’S DOLPHIN TOURISM ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT

ORGANISATIONS SUPPORTING BETTER PROTECTION FOR HECTOR’S & MĀUI DOLPHINS

Tech & Research Innovators

MAUI63 (AI and drone tracking project)
SeaSpotter (Citizen-science dolphin spotting app initiative)
University of Otago (Marine Science Department)
Fisheries New Zealand (MPI)

Non-Profits, NGOs, & Environmental Trusts

WWF New Zealand
Greenpeace Aotearoa
Project Jonah NZ
NZ Whale and Dolphin Trust
Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust
Sea Shepherd New Zealand
Māui and Hector’s Dolphins Defenders
Our Seas Our Future
Guardians of the Sound
People for Nature and Peace
LegaSea (Fisheries and marine environment advocacy)
Environmental Defence Society (EDS)
Endangered Species Foundation

International Conservation Bodies

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
International Whaling Commission (IWC)
NABU International (Foundation for Nature)
Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC)
World Animal Protection
World Cetacean Alliance
Mission Blue Hope Spot
Earthrace Conservation

Tourism & Marine Operators

Black Cat Cruises
Whale Watch Kaikōura
Dolphin Encounter
Pōhatu Penguins
E-Ko Tours
Coast Up Close
Akaroa Dolphins
RealNZ (Formerly Real Journeys)
Annandale Coastal Resort
Fox2 Sailing Adventures Ltd
CamperMate
Pelorus Mail Boat Ltd
Canterbury Leisure Tours
Haka Tours
Hassle Free Tours
Canterbury Trails
IDNZ

Government, Trade, & Regional Bodies

Department of Conservation (DOC)
Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA)
ChristchurchNZ
Akaroa District Promotions
New Zealand Cruise Association
Visitor Point
AA Tourism
BYATA (Backpacker Youth and Adventure Tourism Association)
Backpacker and Adventure Tourism Christchurch