1

Aiden

Mr. Adam

Marine Biology

26 February 2024

Cephalorhynchus hectori maui

The Māui dolphin is also referred to as the popoto and is oftentimes confused with
Hector’s dolphin (however they are a subspecies of the Hector’s dolphin). Its scientific name is
Cephalorhynchus hectori maui. These little dolphins have black and white patches throughout
their body. They are also nearly identical to the Hector’s dolphin which is also found in New
Zealand exclusively. Cephalorhynchus hectori maui are in critical danger and still falling in
numbers.

Brief Overview

There are only about 55 remaining Cephalorhynchus hectori maui species older than a
year in the ocean compared to the 10,000 remaining total Cephalorhynchus hectori (Hector’s
dolphin). They are found exclusively in New Zealand waters, specifically around the west side of
the Northern New Zealand island. The name of the Cephalorhynchus hectori maui stems from
the Northern Island of New Zealand called “Te Ika-a-Māui ''. Also, popoto is the Māori word for
dolphin, which is why they are oftentimes referred to as “popoto”. Cephalorhynchus hectori
maui is in the family Delphinidae. They are often referred to and posted with information about
Cephalorhynchus hectori because they are so similar.

Similarities to Cephalorhynchus hectori

Both Hector’s and Cephalorhynchus hectori maui are primarily gray with black and white
spots. Cephalorhynchus hectori is a subspecies of Cephalorhynchus hectori (Hector’s dolphins)
which are some of the smallest of dolphin species. Cephalorhynchus hectori maui (Māui
 2

dolphins) and Cephalorhynchus hectori (Hector’s dolphins) were even classified as the same
species up until 2002 partially because they look nearly identical. In fact, sometimes scientists
must look at the genetic make-up to differentiate the two. Cephalorhynchus hectori maui is very
similar to Cephalorhynchus hectori but they’re still a separate subspecies. The main physical
difference between them is the Cephalorhynchus hectori maui has a bigger skull and longer
rostrum.

Māui Dolphin Hector’s Dolphin

Diet, Size, and Offspring

Cephalorhynchus hectori maui is a very intelligent species. They are carnivorous and
feed on practically any bottom-dwelling fish they can find. Typically their meals include small
red cod, āhuru flatfish, and arrow squid. They live in groups as a family and are playful, and
social. Their families/pods can range from 1-5 members. These small dolphins measure in at
approximately 1.5 meters (just shy of 5 feet). In addition, the males tend to be a bit lighter and
smaller. They can weigh up to 65kg. It takes a female 7-9 years to fully mature and it then takes a
minimum of 2 years to birth a single offspring.

Threats and Importance

The biggest threat to Cephalorhynchus hectori maui is humans. Net fishing has
drastically reduced their numbers over the years. According to the New Zealand Whale and
Dolphin Trust, “Māui and Hector’s dolphins are rarer than kiwis”. Cephalorhynchus hectori maui
 3

(and Hector’s dolphins) are valued by the locals and are referred to as taonga, which means
treasured possession or valuable treasure in māori. Efforts were made back in 2020 to ban net
fishing (slightly over 60 remaining Cephalorhynchus hectori maui), but unfortunately, it was too
late and their numbers have only fallen more. Their biggest threats now are active human ships,
loose fishing gear, and trawling.

Conclusion

Cephalorhynchus hectori maui are nearing extinction. These small intelligent

creatures are still dying at the hands of human trawling. They have many aliases like the popoto
and Māui dolphins given by the Māori people. They live in New Zealand, feed on small fish, and
travel in small pods. They are critically endangered and extremely important to the Māori
culture.
 4

Works Cited:

“Dolphin Facts.” World Animal Protection Aotearoa New Zealand,

www.worldanimalprotection.org.nz/education/animal-facts/dolphins/#:~:text=M%C4%81
ui%20and%20Hector’s%20dolphins%20are,and%20live%20in%20family%20groups.

Facts about hector’s and Māui Dolphin. Department of Conservation. (n.d.).

https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-mammals/dolphins/maui-dolphin/
facts/#:~:text=M%C4%81ui%20and%20Hector’s%20dolphins%20are%20two%20subsp
ecies%20of%20the%20same,and%20given%20the%20name%20M%C4%81ui.

Fisheries, N. (2022, September 8). Hector’s dolphin.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/hectors-dolphin

Hector’s dolphin. Whale & Dolphin Conservation USA. (n.d.).

https://us.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/hectors-dolphin/#:~:text=The%20No
rth%20Island%20subpopulation%20of,pushing%20these%20dolphins%20to%20extincti
on.

Maui and Hector’s Dolphins. NZ Whale and Dolphin Trust. (n.d.).

https://whaledolphintrust.org.nz/projects/hectors-dolphins/

Whale Facts. (2015, July 11). Maui’s Dolphin Facts.

https://www.whalefacts.org/mauis-dolphin-facts/