Eight different species and subspecies of dolphin are found regularly around the New Zealand coast. At least eight further dolphin species and one porpoise have been found here on occasion, some only when they have stranded on our shores. Only a few species are listed here.
How to report dolphin sightings.
Call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) immediately if you see a southern right whale, Māui dolphin or stranded marine mammal.
Māui dolphins are one of the rarest and smallest dolphins in the world. They are only found on the west coast of the North Island in New Zealand.
Hector’s dolphins are one of the world’s smallest dolphins. They are mostly found around the coast of New Zealand’s South Island.
Despite its confusing name, the killer whale is actually the largest member of the dolphin family.
Find out about the bottlenose dolphins and the impact humans are having on this species.
In New Zealand, dusky dolphins appear south of East Cape and are rare in more northern waters.
Common dolphins found in New Zealand waters belong to the species now known as the short-beaked common dolphin.
Despite their name, pilot whales are in fact one of the largest members of the dolphin family.