Mission Bay Event Calls for Action to Save Critically Endangered Māui Dolphins
- Jun 23
- 2 min read
On Saturday, Tāngaro Tuia te Ora, the Endangered Species Foundation, joined forces with LUSH, Moana Rāhui o Aotea and Māui and Hector's Dolphin Defenders at Kohimaramara, Mission Bay, to take a stand for the critically endangered Māui dolphins.
The four groups united over a common goal: to protect Māui, the world's smallest and rarest dolphin, and to call for an end to bottom trawling in Māui and Hector's dolphin habitats. Bottom trawling, which involves dragging heavy nets across the seafloor, is a known cause of death for marine species, including Māui dolphins.
"With fewer than 50 remaining, we are at a crisis point for these dolphins," says Natalie Jessup, GM of Tāngaro Tuia te Ora. "If urgent action to fully protect Māui is not taken soon, New Zealand could be one of the first countries in the world to see a dolphin go extinct".
With a sobering display of life-sized Māui dolphins caught in fishing nets, the groups collected signatures on ESF's petition calling for an end to bottom trawling in the endangered dolphins' habitat.
The event was part of an ongoing campaign with LUSH cosmetics company, who have released a limited-edition Māui Dolphin soap in stores across Aotearoa, with 75% of proceeds going directly to ESF's work to stop bottom trawling and protect Māui dolphins.
For Jessielee Pearce (Ngā Puhi, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Hine), Advocacy and Activism Executive for LUSH Australia and Aotearoa, the event was about getting out into the community and calling for action.
"We're here to connect with the public and get the message out that there are less than 50 of these dolphins left. We've had lots of interactions from tamariki and families, and it's been fantastic to see the support." says Jessielee.
For the Apiti whānau of Ngāti Te Wehi, part of a multi-generational fight to save this taonga, this cause runs far deeper than conservation.
"The Māui dolphin is a part of our whakapapa, a part of our history, it is a part of our identity, and we have a responsibility to protect this taonga. We have stories that have been passed down of how this taonga protected our tūpuna in their time of need," Aotea said. "It is now our turn to be the protectors."
Christine Rose of Māui and Hector's Dolphin Defenders welcomed the chance to take the message directly to the public:
"It's really important that we bring this issue to the heart of Aucklanders. Māui and Hector's are only found here, and so they are ours to save. Too many are being killed by the fishing industry."
Tāngaro Tuia te Ora, the Endangered Species Foundation, extends its heartfelt thanks to LUSH, Moana Rāhui o Aotea, and Māui and Hector's Dolphin Defenders, and to everyone in Tāmaki Makaurau who came down to show their support. Every action counts.
You can help. Sign the petition to end bottom trawling in Māui and Hector's dolphin habitat, and protect our moana and its taonga species.
