Kawhia Harbour Dolphin Sign Waikato North Island NZ
Photo & Vacation Spot

Along the shores of Kawhia Harbour in Waikato on the North Island of NZ, a large sign has been erected explaining to people about the threat of the decreasing dolphin population.

What was once a highly populated area for the Hector's Dolphin and Maui's Dolphin, a sign has been placed along the shores of Kawhia Harbour in Waikato on the North Island of NZ with information about their declining numbers. The Hector's Dolphin, also referred to as "kiwis of the sea" around the North and South Island of NZ was around 26,000 in the 1970's and now the numbers top out at around 7,000.

The Maui's Dolphin have a total population of about 110 animals and the threat of this dolphin becoming extinct is very real. The Maui's Dolphin tends to swim close to the shore and are becoming entangled in fishing nets which has become the biggest threat to these mammals.

Other factors include being hit by boats and polluted waters. With everyone's help in reporting sightings, keeping the area clean and banning set netting and trawling in the dolphin's areas, there is a chance of saving these animals often seen in Kawhia Harbour in Waikato, NZ.

When visiting the town of Kawhia in Waikato on the North Island of NZ, please take some time to read the dolphin under threat sign along the harbour shores. With a little help from everyone, it is possible to bring the numbers of these dolphins back up to a safe zone.

Kawhia Harbour in the town of Kawhia, Waikato, North Island, New Zealand.