A chronological history of Hector's and Maui's conservation in New Zealand
1970-1988
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1988
- Helen Clark (then NZ's Minister of Conservation) creates New Zealand’s first marine mammal sanctuary, to offer some protection to Hector’s dolphins around Banks Peninsula.
2003
- Pete Hodgson (then Minister of Fisheries) creates a protected area for North Island Hector’s dolphins, also known as Maui’s dolphins.
2008
- Jim Anderton (then Minister of Fisheries) puts in place a comprehensive package of protection measures for Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins
- These latest protection measures were a massive step in the right direction but won't halt the species decline and achieve recovery.
2011
- Phil Heatley (then Minister of Fisheries) undermines already inadequate protection measures for Hector’s dolphins by allowing commercial and recreational gillnets back into protected areas in Marlborough.
- This step is taken despite evidence from official observers on fishing boats that at least 23 Hector’s dolphins are still being caught on the east coast of the South Island - at least ten times more than the population can absorb.