Conservation Status The Maui's Dolphin is listed as CRITICALLY ENDAGERED and migratory under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
Maui's dolphin or popoto (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) is the world's rarest and smallest known subspecies of dolphin.
They are a subspecies of the Hector's dolphin. Maui's dolphins are only found off the west coast of New Zealand's North Island.
Having distinctive grey, white, and black markings and a short snout, they are most easily recognized by their round dorsal fins. Maui's dolphins are generally found close to shore in groups or pods of several dolphins. They have solidly built bodies with gently sloping snouts and a unique rounded dorsal fins. The dolphins are known to live up to 20 years.
Maui's dolphins are only found off the west coast of the central North Island of New Zealand. Since 2001, the known range of the Maui's has been between the Kaipara Harbour south to Raglan Harbour.
A DOC survey report in 2012 estimated 55 adult Maui's dolphins remained.