In 2005, WWF-New Zealand helped fund aerial surveys to find out exactly where Maui’s dolphins live, during both summer and winter. As expected, most sightings were made along the coast between Manukau Harbour and Raglan Harbour.
The results show that during both summer and winter Maui’s dolphins stick close to shore, in shallow waters up to 100 metres deep. In winter dolphins appear to be evenly distributed between the shoreline and about 4 nautical miles (7.5 kilometres) offshore, whereas in summer more sightings were closer to shore.
That means, in both seasons, dolphins are at risk from capture in set nets and trawl nets.
Are dolphins found in harbours?
Maui’s dolphins are seen in harbours entrances and river mouths, and several sightings and acoustic detections have been made within Manukau Harbour.
Other North Island west coast harbours have not yet been studied in detail, but reliable sightings have been made in three of the five – Manukau, Kaipara and Raglan.
More info
Find out more about the distribution of Hector's dolphins.
